THE Three Little Pigs are the 2024 Sandford Cricket Club Community League Champions for the second year running, writes Phil Matten.

Going into Sunday, July 14’s Final both the Pigs and Sandford Football Club were unbeaten, but in the end it was the Pigs who triumphed by 34 runs.

Although both finalists were already known before Finals day, there was still the issue of completing the League programme with each team playing their last league game.

Unfortunately due to illness and holidays, Crediton Milling couldn’t raise a side on the day, but thankfully a number of Sandford players formed a team late on Saturday night so they could give Sandford Development XI a game.

However, the first game of the day saw Graphic play Crediton Rugby Club, and to everyone’s surprise, including their own, Graphic who had not won a game all season, pulled off the shock of the competition this year with a resounding five wicket win.

Batting first the Rugby Club were restricted to 108 for seven in their 20 overs, with only Joe Willcocks (26) offering any reasonable resistance, along with 33 extras.

Jack Hookway, being the main perpetrator of the Rugby Club’s downfall with three early wickets, was ably supported by Ben Trenaman with two more.

In reply Andy Sharp got his side off to a good start and had to retire on 25, well supported lower down the order by Lewis Copp who finished on 25 not out when he hit the winning runs.

In the second game the Development XI triumphed over “The Fillerinners” by nine runs in a close encounter, with Rhys James (20) and Adrian Partridge (27 retired) doing most of the damage at the top of the order.

Will Matten was the most successful bowler with a couple of wickets – not bad for a 12 year old – obviously following in his Grandfather’s footsteps!

The Fillerinners fell just short on the chase with Praison Alias retiring on 25, and Will Matten (19) doing their best, but in the end they fell nine runs short.

The third game, which had been agreed would be a “double header”, due to the Euros Final being held later in the evening, acted not only as the final league game, but also the Final itself.

The Pigs batted first and smashed their way to 165 in their 20 overs with Jack James (40 no – he had to go back in after initially retiring at 25), Alex Stevens (27) and Josh Woodland (24) creating most of the carnage, along with 48 extras. Brad Elliott with a couple of early wickets did his best to halt an early onslaught.

In the end though the Pigs bowlers were too strong for the Footie Club’s batsmen, and the innings petered out to 131 all out – 34 runs short of their target.

With Shaun Hawkins (61 – eight fours and three sixes) achieving a record score in Community League cricket, unable to see his side home, which probably speaks volume for his batting teammates!

Josh Woodland with a couple of early wickets set the precedence for the Football Club innings.

So congratulations to the Pigs of their second victory on the trot, and commiserations to the Football Club.

On behalf of the Cricket Club many thanks to all six teams who took part this year, along with all the members who acted as either umpires and/or scorers, with a special mention to Nicky Radnor once again for supplying meals after each game.

Also a special thank you to Sue Sparham for again supporting the competition and presenting the Barrie Sparham OBE Memorial Trophy to the Pigs captain Josh Davey.

Final league positions – Pigs 10 points, Football Club (8), Rugby Club and SCC Development both five, and Crediton Milling and Graphic battling it out at the bottom with two. On to next year gents.