SANDFORD Cricket Club’s First XI travelled to Sidmouth last Saturday, July 13, looking to get back on the winning trail.

Batting first and with the score at 22 for three that wasn’t a good start.

However, enter 17 year old James Theedom batting at no.5 to join opener Adam Small. Together they added 54 for the fourth wicket before Smally was dismissed for 27.

Then the young Sandford man was joined by another Sandfordian – Ryan Glass. They added 53 before Glassy was dismissed for 24 (one six and a four).  Gradually the recovery was on, and with another Sandford boy, Shaun Hawkins smacking a quick 17 (also one six and a four) the score became more respectable.

Theeds was eventually out for a gallant 81 off 151 balls including seven fours and three sixes, a great effort from such a young prospect. Sandford were eventually bowled out for 197 in 47 overs. For Sidmouth only opening bowler Tom Hodgson made much headway with 5-25 from his 10 overs.

With the Sidmouth reply at 46 for five the writing was on the wall. The early order succumbed to Sandford skipper Jackson Thompson’s flight and guile.

An eventual all out total of 118 in 42.2 overs saw Sandford home and dry and another 18 points in the bag.  JT finished with 5-26 (10) and together with Byron Knowles 3-10 (3.2) and veteran Jamie Palmer 2-19 (10), Sandford’s second position in the Premier Division was consolidated, nine points behind leaders Bradninch.

The Seconds were always going to struggle against high riding Ivybridge, especially after another plethora of early wides (17). The Ivybridge top order looked strong with opener Kopparambi (50), Overseas Tshiki (62) and Huxtable (53) showing the home bowlers the way to the boundary.

However, with drinks being taken at 163 for four mid-innings, a huge total looked a probability.  Fair play to the Sandford lads though as Ivybridge soon found themselves at 210 for nine with eight overs left. Unfortunately the last pair put on 42 with Dunn smacking 38 unwanted runs.

Bowling wise, Ollie Knight showed a return to form with figures of 3-51 (7.2), along with Ellie Bishop 2-55 (9), Praison Alias 3-33 (9) and Matt Theedom making his first appearance of the season 2-35 (8).

An eventual total of 252 in 42.2 overs though should have been with the home team’s grasp.  However, 73 for six was not a great start. It wasn’t until Archie Osborne 29 (four fours and a six) and Jason Matten 46 (four fours and two sixes) got together that the innings began to look respectable.

Together they added 60 for the seventh wicket, and an improbable victory still looked on the cards. Alas not. 

Once Archie holed out the innings subsided to 175 all out in 40.1 overs. Despite losing, the nine points gained kept the lads near the teams just above them at the bottom of C Division West, and hope going forward.

Following a string of defeats after a good start to the season, the Thirds entertained Exwick Seconds. Thanks to skipper Alex Stevens 60 (four fours and three sixes), Jonny Handley 21, Barny Butterfield 41 (five fours and a six – his highest ever Devon League score), and a late surge from Hairdresser Liam Gardner 49no (five fours and three sixes), Sandford totalled 195 for five in their 40 overs.

Stevo and Butts added 97 for the fourth wicket to see their side regain the initiative after an early order collapse to 40 for three.

Liam’s knock also saw a huge surge at the end of the innings with an unbroken stand of 55 with youngster Alfie Butterfield 5no, but an important 5no.

In reply Exwick never really recovered from 21 for three, even though at 131 for five they felt they were still in with a chance.

However, the lower order perished and 160 all out was their final hoora!

For the home team Glyn (Diesel) Baker 2-25 (6) did the early damage, supported by Jack James 2-17 (5.4), who finished off the tail, and Alfie Butterfield 2-28 (6) to cap a good game for him. So in the end a 35 run victory saw the Thirds return to the winning enclosure.

This Saturday the Firsts are home to Paignton – 12.30pm start with the Seconds travelling to Plymouth in a relegation battle, and Thirds trudging up to Filleigh for a real “toughie” against the League leaders. Best of luck everyone.

Phil Matten