AS with most Clubs, no matter what sport, the Firsts are usually what most people base their assessment of a Club on, because it usually depends on where they play as to their standing in that sport.

Luckily for Sandford Cricket Club we have a very good First XI who are one of the top teams in Devon, with a superb ground and facilities.

However, a First XI is only part of the Club. The substance of a Club comes from what else they can offer.

Sandford are one of a small number of Clubs that have three or more teams playing cricket in the Devon League, something that 10 years ago we could only have dreamt of, especially as there were occasions when the Club struggled to put out two teams, let alone three, and to have two grounds was unthinkable, as this would involve many other factors outside of the Club’s perimeters.

My first review focused on players that had joined the Club, who were signed to be, or would be regular First XI players, together with a list of the players that had either left or not played for various reasons.

Our thanks though goes to all of them for their efforts in their time with us. Hopefully we will see some of them re-appear at some stage in the future.

So this week my report is focusing on the Seconds and Thirds players who have either joined the Club, and/or moved up from the Thirds.

I’ll start with Praison Alias. Praison was a real bonus and complete surprise for the Club. Another Indian, but who was living in Exeter with his wife who was working in the UK.

He asked to join and ended up being another overseas player for the Club, but one we didn’t have to pay for.

He was a useful Second XI cricketer, and is keen to play again in 2025, by which time he will have lived in the UK long enough to no longer be classed as an Overseas player.

A couple of youngsters who joined from Ottery Cricket Club, with the aim of trying to improve their cricketing ability, were 15 year-old Ben Handley, followed shortly after the start of the season by his younger 14 year-old brother Jonny.

Ben played mainly in the Seconds at the start of the season, but his potential shone through, and he ended up making seven appearances with the Firsts, and didn’t let himself down when called upon.

Jonny played for the Thirds, but showed a lot of character. Hopefully we will see them both return again in 2025, and the future looks bright for both of them.

Another good sign for the Club has been the number of youngsters who have come through the Sandford youth set up, and who are now playing their parts in senior cricket at all levels.

Joe Hopkins, at 16, having cemented his position in the Seconds in 2023, continued to make progress, and even made his First XI debut in 2024.

He went on to play half a dozen games for them, including one match winning performance in a low scoring match at Plympton.

As I mentioned earlier, Joe had become a regular in the Seconds last year, and went on to score his first ever ton at this level in 2024.

He has also become a regular representative of the Devon U16s, and a number of impressive performances ensured he was presented with their Batsman of the Year award, which again included another ton.

Jack James, 18, has been a regular in the Thirds for the past couple of years, but moved up to the Seconds this year on a regular basis.

He found life tougher as a regular Seconds player, but hopefully he will learn and continue his all-round cricketing progress in 2025.

Sebi Gibbs, 15, started off his first season at senior level in the Thirds, but soon became a regular member of the Seconds, and looks a very good bowler for the future.

The Seconds were well represented with youngsters, where Ollie Knight, 15, consolidated his position in the Seconds from last year.

As a Club we’re proud to say, Ollie was chosen and is currently on tour to South Africa with Devon U15s.

This should be a great learning curve for him. Hopefully he will enjoy the experience, and help him continue to improve his cricketing ability.

Phil Matten