CAN you believe it? It seems like only a few days ago I finished sending in to the “Courier” my series of end of season reports based on the performances of Sandford Cricket Club during 2024. And yet here we are with the 2025 season looming ever nearer.

Although the Devon League season doesn't start until Saturday, May 3, when our First XI will entertain Exeter, we do have a few pre-season friendlies on the horizon starting this coming weekend - April 19 and 20 - with home friendly matches against Taunton St Andrew’s on Saturday and Exeter University Seconds on Sunday, both with 12.30pm starts.

Hopefully the weather will stay good to us, as it has over the past few weeks, making ground preparation unbelievably less difficult than last year, when you may recall, it did nothing but rain throughout most of April.

Whilst I don't intend to go through players comings and goings at this stage - mainly because I'm not too sure myself what the up-to-date situation is, I can confirm that last year's overseas player Aryan Lakra is making a welcome return, and hopefully a season at the Ford has had a positive effect on his cricket.

Certainly in the professional ranks he enjoys in the Middle East he has had a good season, being part of the Dacca Gladiators who won the Abu-Dhabi T10 competition, playing alongside Jos Buttler, to name but one of the “Superstars” in that side.

He is currently in the Mumbai Indians squad playing in the Indian Premier League, and has been asked to stay on until this finishes, which unfortunately for us, means he will miss the pre-season friendlies, and the first League game. However, this is such an opportunity for him that no one could deny him, especially as his longer-term intention is to try and play as a professional cricketer.

The Club will be putting out three teams again on Saturdays this year, with the Firsts playing in the Devon Premier League again, the Seconds playing in C Division East, and not West, which will hopefully involve less travelling to away games, and the Thirds playing in G Division East again. Best of luck to all of them.

One change that will happen is that we have entered a team in the South Devon League for our Development XI, under the guidance of Jon James. This will be a Sunday League as far as Sandford are concerned, with League, Cup and T20 competitions providing additional cricket for our up-and-coming youngsters with the aim to assist them with the transition from Youth team players into Adult cricket.

If last year was anything to go by, it should be interesting at least, especially seeing some of the progress these boys and girls made last year. I for one can't wait to see how they get on.

The three senior teams will also be playing in their respective T20 competitions, in which, unbelievably, they have all been drawn at home again this year.

The Firsts have also entered the National Cup again with their first match due to be played on Sunday, April 27 with, yes you've guessed it, a home game against Midsomer Norton. We've never been drawn away in this competition yet. Long may it continue.

Clubs like Sandford rely a lot on income from sponsorship, and Sandford is no exception. We are so unbelievably lucky at Sandford as many of our sponsors have been with us for many many years.

However, there are always a few who drop by the wayside for some reason or another, and again this year is no exception. As such we will be saying goodbye to Chinns and Country Kitchens - hopefully both temporarily. Also leaving us will be Taw Vale B and B, as Sylvia Whitby, and husband Pete, are retiring the business after 20 years plus, to earn themselves a good rest and hopefully happy retirement. Thank you to all of them for the financial assistance they have given the Club in their times with us, and hopefully we will still see many of you at the Club again in a social capacity going forward.

With some leaving, we also have some joining us thankfully. As such I am pleased to inform you that Smarter Accounting are one such organisation, along with Exeter School, CMC Eakers and Peaky Cleaners. We welcome them all into the Club “family”, and look forward to catching up with them as the season progresses.

Brian Leach has again managed to get all our Saturday and Sunday League games sponsored for a matchball, which is financially a godsend for the Club, and with a few additional games also now available, please keep an eye out for opportunities to be part of this incentive going forward, especially for pre-season and Cup games.

Youth cricket will again play a major part in the Club's activities this year with training starting on Friday, April 25 and All Stars starting on May 23.

We look forward to welcoming everybody to Creedy Park in 2025.

Phil Matten