AMAZING! Not a lot of rain in February, March and the beginning of April, but then just as the local cricket season starts, an absolute deluge on Good Friday, which unfortunately ruled out any possible chance of playing on Saturday, April 19 for our first friendly against Taunton St Andrews.

However, the good news was that the skies then cleared on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, and so our second pre-season friendly against University Thirds was able to be played.

Sandford's team was mainly a mixed bag on Second and Third XI players with the odd first teamer thrown in for good measure. The Uni team batted first and were bowled out for197 with new First XI Vice Captain Byron Knowles leading the way with five for 37 from his nine overs. Jack James weighed in with a couple of wickets (2-36) to get his season up and running as well.

In reply, Sandford crawled to 160 before being bowled out with only Jon James 25, Byron Knowles 27 and Archie Osborne 33 showing any resilience to the Uni bowling. However, at this stage of the season it's not results that necessarily matter, more to get some mileage in the legs to remove some of the winter rustiness. At least we played!

This weekend potentially sees another two home games with the Seconds/ Thirds again turning up on Saturday, April 26 to face a select XI from Alphington and Countess Wear with a 12.30pm start. On Sunday, we have our first real test of the season, with the Firsts due to play Midsomer Norton in the first round of the National Cup with a 1pm start.

Quite remarkably, this is the fifth year we've entered this competition, and we've yet to be drawn away from home. Long may it continue.

The following Saturday, May 3, sees the start of the Devon League program with the Firsts entertaining Exeter at Creedy Park with a 12.30pm start. The Seconds and Thirds are both away to Seaton and North Devon Thirds respectively - both 1pm starts.

Best of luck to all teams going forward into the 2025 season. I'm afraid reports on these games will be a week or so late as I will be away on holiday. I genuinely can't remember the last time I missed the first game of the season, but hey, there has to be a first for everything apparently.

Phil Matten