THE last Community League game before Finals Day on Sunday, July 2, saw the Three Little Pigs take on Graphic in Round Four of this year’s competition.

The Pigs will have gone into the game as favourites, having not lost a game so far, and with Graphic not having won a game so far, although they did tie one. And so it proved.

Graphic batted first and incredibly knocked up 144 for the loss of only one wicket. Their score included three retirements with Sam Dyne (26), Ben Trenaman (27) and Phil Greenslade (25) all reaching the obligatory 25 before retiring, assisted by no fewer than 37 extras.

In reply, 15 year-old Jack James smashed a quickfire 29, and together with his fellow opener Will French (28), they got the scoreboard moving pretty quickly.

After their retirements, the Pigs next four batsmen all found ways of getting out, and in the end it was left to Bailey Carbines (21no) and Lee Waring (17no) to see their team to victory with 13 balls still remaining, so quite convincing in the end.

With this win, it leaves the Pigs on seven points, and in doing so booking their place in the Final on July 2, no matter how they get on in their last game.

However, it’s a close contest behind them with Sandford Football Club on six points, the Rugby Club on five points – and these two meet on Finals Day in their last "round-robin" game – followed by Crediton Milling on four points, with Graphic and Dads and Lads bringing up the rear with one point each.

So now everything will switch to Finals Day. Proceedings will get under way at 11am with Three Little Pigs playing Sandford Dads and Lads, followed by Sandford Football Club v Crediton Rugby Club at 1.15pm and then Graphic v Crediton Milling at 3.30pm. The Final will be at 6pm.

This last set of games will be played on a grass wicket on the lower side of the Sandford cricket square, instead of on the Astro turf, which is located on the higher side of the square.

This is due to primary concern for safety of spectators, especially as the number of spectators last year exceeded all expectations, and I’m sure will be surpassed again this year, as this competition becomes more and more popular each year it is played.

So please make a note in your diaries if you want a fun day out – Sandford Cricket Club Community League Finals Day Sunday, July 2, with the first game starting at 11am and finishing with the Final itself, between the top two teams in the eventual league standings, starting at 6pm.

Phil Matten