USUALLY it’s normal to start off my report on how Sandford Cricket Club Firsts performed last weekend.

Not this week though, as history was made at Sampford Peverell last Saturday when 18 year-old Jemima Vereker, one of our lady players, smacked an amazing 127 not out for the Thirds in their G Division East match against Heathcoat Fourths.

Coming in to bat at number three, Jemima was soon in the action following the early demise of skipper Alex Stevens.

She was still there at the end when the Thirds innings closed after 40 overs. Her knock, which came from only 110 balls faced, included 17 fours and two sixes.

Jemima also featured in a third wicket record partnership for the Thirds of 209 with, and I can’t believe I’m writing this, Barny Butterfield (Mr Sandford Orchards), who cracked his own personal best with a doughty knock of 64 (97 balls, nine fours and a six).

Young wicketkeeper Zac Blewett weighed in with a lusty 24 at the end of the innings, as Sandford finished on 271 for five.

Heathcoat’s reply faltered early on and it was only thanks to Guest (50) and Parkes (38) who made their score look respectable as their innings eventually closed on 140 for eight. 

All of Sandford’s bowlers took at least one wicket, but it was Jemima again who dismissed top scorer Guest, and eventually finished with two for 18 (4), well supported by Stu Watson 2-21 (4). This result dispelled any fears of any unlikely relegation.

The Firsts had “a game to forget” at Creedy Park. With next to bottom team Bovey Tracey being the visitors, hopes of another win to keep them at the top of the Premier Division were high.

Despite a couple of early wickets reducing Bovey to 29 for two, stands of 70 between opener Musa Twala (76) and ED Foreman (24) got the visitors back on course, and a further partnership of 58 between Twala and Lew Hammett 38 for the fifth wicket kept the scoreboard ticking.

At 206 for eight, Sandford felt most of the hard work had been done. Unfortunately not, as no.10 Ollie Clifford-Bourne let fly with an undefeated 33 from only 20 balls to push his side to 246 form their 50 overs – their score being boosted by Sandford bowling 23 wides.

An opening stand of 35 set Sandford up for a decent reply. This was followed by a further partnership of 71 for the third wicket.

However, 108 for two soon dissipated to 142 all out in only 39 overs. Only knocks from Ciaran Gray (38) and Aryan Lakra (35) offered any real resistance, as Bovey bowlers Ollie Clifford-Bourne 3-18 (9) and Jake Pascoe 3-10 (3) weaved their magic.

This defeat, and with Bradninch winning, saw both teams change league positions, as Sandford fell 12 points behind the new league leaders, with next week’s game at Bradninch looking even more important for both teams.

The Seconds travelled to Kingsbridge in their aim to pull away from the relegation zone of C Division West.

Although they ended up losing by two wickets in a close game.  They achieved their main aim, as they pulled a further seven points away from Yelverton, who are currently in the second relegation spot.

Sandford’s innings did not start well, as both openers departed without troubling the scorers. However, Tom Gidney smacking a run-a-ball 75 (nine fours and four sixes) did his best to get the scoreboard ticking.

Unfortunately wickets kept falling at regular intervals and an eventual score of 178 in only 35.1 overs was attained. Veteran Matt Theedom with 21 (one four, two sixes) was the only other batter to make any score of note.

Even the home team didn’t find batting easy on a difficult pitch, and only Ford (62) and Browne (23) offered any real resistance as skipper Pete Steer toiled away with 5-33 (9), and Ollie Knight 2-27 claimed a couple early wickets.

In the end Kingsbridge clinched victory on 182 for eight in 33.5 overs. The fact Sandford left 10 overs in the bank, and bowled another 21 wides, proved their downfall in the end. However the eight points gained now leaves them 19 points clear of the relegation zone.

This coming weekend the Firsts travel to Bradninch (12.30pm start), with the Seconds at home to Brixham (1pm start) and the Thirds travelling to Bradninch and Kentisbeare Thirds at Kentisbeare, also a 1pm start.

Phil Matten