MY previous report focused on the Seconds. This week I’m focusing on the progress of some of the youngsters who have come up through the age group cricket provided at Sandford and made their way into the Thirds, and even the Seconds in some cases.

Brothers Elliott and Alfie Butterfield proved to be good additions to the Thirds.

Although not a youngster, their father Barney (Mr Sandford Orchards) transferred from Cheriton Fitzpaine midway through the year, and had a half-season to remember – more about this in a later report.

Other 15 year olds who played regularly in the Thirds were batter Rhys James, Batsman and Wicketkeeper Zack Blewett and slow bowler Tom Harding, who all played their parts admirably.

Another “surprise” player for the Thirds, was Steve “Tipper” Lyon, who was asked to play early in the season due to a shortage of players one week.

He subsequently played a match winning knock, and remained a regular part of the squad thereafter.

This then brings me on to mention the continuing development of our three regular lady cricketers.

Devon cricketers Ellie Bishop and Jemima Vereker have been playing for the Thirds for a number of seasons, having originally been part of the Women’s team. However, they both played Second XI cricket this year, with Ellie in particular becoming a regular member of that team due to her effective all-round cricketing ability.

Jemima had a superb year in the Thirds, again with her all-round ability, but notching her first ton, followed by a call up to the Seconds the week after.

The third lady member is Emily Wilson who has played Third team for a couple of years, and has taken a number of useful wickets at that level.She is definitely no batter though!

I’m hoping that in the next couple of years they will be joined by at least a couple of other female cricketers. Namely my own Granddaughter Lily Matten and another relation of mine, Ellie Knight, sister of Second XI player Ollie Knight.

Both are currently in their respective Devon age group set ups. Both show a lot of promise going forward.

Veteran Second XI player Jon James started a Development XI in 2023, and with more games being played this year, these games gave opportunities to a number of youngsters (male and female) and their Dads playing in the same game, which proved to be very popular.

It even resulted in them winning a T20 competition at the end of the season at Cheriton Fitzpaine to finish off a good season for this team.

As a result of these games, Sandford Cricket Club was able to boast that all of the first choice U15s youth players all played senior cricket for the Club at some level in 2024.

Quite a remarkable stat, and one which bodes well for the future of the Club, under the guidance of their coach Danny Knight - father of Ollie and Ellie.

Which brings me on to the Youth section at the Club. When someone who has been “in charge” for many years decides to move on, it can be quite a difficult time for a Club to find replacements.

So with Matt Theedom deciding to stand down at the end of the 2023 season, it was left for someone else to pick up the mantle and run with the baton.

As such, a new Youth committee was formed under the guidance of Chris Blake as Chairman, Jason Matten as Vice Chairman, Keith Conder as Secretary, Ian Theedom as Fixture Secretary, Cat Stevenson as Membership Secretary and Jon James as Youth Development Team Manager and Training Co-Ordinator.

In addition to these committee members, coaches were required for the nine hard ball teams and a few additional soft ball teams.

Some of these were existing coaches, but many were new, and my thanks on behalf of Sandford Cricket Club is to say a very big thank you to all of them for the fantastic job they did and hopefully will be continuing to dogoing forward.

The one thing I have been impressed with is the enthusiasm within the Youth section and by having a proper committee, this bodes well, not just for the Youth of Sandford Cricket Club, but for the Club in general longer term.

Phil Matten