LAST Saturday (August 26) Sandford Cricket Club’s first team managed a reasonably straightforward seven wicket victory over local rivals Tiverton Heathcoat to win their first Devon League Premier Division title since 2004 – a 19 year wait.

In a game reduced to 45 overs due to a damp pitch, Sandford skipper Jackson Thompson managed to win the toss yet again, and so with the likelihood of the game being possibly rain affected, he asked the opposition to bat first.

Heathcoat duly made a brisk start with the previous week’s centurion Harry Southgate and skipper Liam Lewis putting on 51 for the first wicket in quick time, before Southgate perished for 22 (three fours and a six), caught at short cover off of skipper Thompson in his first over.

The next wicket to fall was Heathcoat skipper Lewis for 32 (also three fours and a six), again falling to the skipper LBW.

No 3 Peter Randerson was then joined by Simon Sobczak and together they pushed the score up to 94 before Randerson fell for 23 (two fours).

Randerson’s downfall then saw the rest of the Heathcoat innings disintegrate, and they were bowled out for only 124 in 39.4 overs.

JT finished with figures of 4-25 from his nine overs, well supported by Dikshu Negi, Sandford’s Overseas player, with another impressive spell of 3-17 (9) and young Jack Ford 2-17 (7).

In reply Sandford yet again lost a few early wickets and soon found themselves 46-3, with only Dan Ward cracking a brisk 23 from only 18 balls including four fours.

However, it was then left to Dikshu to again steady the ship together with youngster Lawrence Walker. They knocked off the remaining runs inside 26 overs to finish on 127 for three and so complete a seven wicket win. Dikshu finished with 70no from only 55 balls, including seven fours and two sixes, and Lawrence finishing on 23no (one four and one six).

With a lead of 22 points prior to the game starting, and 20 points gained from this victory, it means Sandford cannot now be caught, and can relax next week when they finish their 2023 league season away to Cornwood.

The only team that could catch them, Sidmouth, lost to Bradninch, and in doing so the gap between Sandford and Bradninch, who are now in second spot, has been stretched to 34 points.

The Seconds made the difficult trip to Bideford Littleham and Westward Ho! knowing they really needed to win to maintain any realistic hope of keeping their place in the B Division.

The game was reduced to 40 overs, from the usual 45, due to a wet pitch. They started well, and soon had their hosts struggling at 48 for four, with opening bowlers Jake Griffiths and young Jack James both taking a couple of early wickets.

However, although the Sandford boys kept taking wickets at regular intervals, they couldn’t stop the home side knocking up 177 for nine in their 40 overs, with opener Jack Ancil holding the innings together with a solid 64 (six fours).

Jake Griffiths eventually finished with four for 41 from his eight overs, with Jack James claiming 2-44 from his eight, and skipper Shaun Hawkins 2-25 also from his eight.

Unfortunately 29 extras, including 21 wides in particular, did not help Sandford’s cause.

In reply the nemesis of the loss of early wickets that has dogged Sandford Seconds so much this season, struck again, and they soon found themselves 51-7 in their reply.

An eighth wicket stand of 64 between Pete Steer 32 (two fours) and Jake Griffiths 42 (three fours and a six), kept the flame flickering whilst they were still together, and with Jack James swinging the willow for a brisk 19 (two fours and a six), Sandford’s eventual total of 149 in 38.3 overs gave the score some form of respectability, but alas not the win they craved.

The seven points gained moved them up to ninth in the league, two points above Seaton at the bottom, but still eight points behind Ipplepen, the team they have to overtake if they wish to stay in the same division for next season.

Their last game at Creedy Park will be against second placed Plymstock, who they ironically beat in the away fixture earlier in the season.

So there is still hope, but they will have to rely on Ipplepen losing as well. You never know, stranger things have happened.

The Thirds continued on their merry way to the H East Division title, as they claimed yet another 20 points.

Skipper Matt Theedom won the toss and asked Cullompton Thirds to bat first.

The visitors were soon in trouble losing a couple of early wickets to Sandford’s veteran opening bowler Brian Leach with only one run on the board. Although the 3rd wicket didn’t fall until the score was on 39, wickets then fell steadily until Cully were eventually bowled out for only 108 in 28.1 overs. For Cully youngster Shane Cann scored 31, but the next best was a couple of 16s.

Leachy finished with 3-17 from his eight overs, supported by Ellie Bishop 3-22 (6) and skipper Theedom with a sneeky 2-0 from just 1.1 overs.

In reply, Sandford openers Alex Stevens and Ellie Bishop got their team off to a steady, if unspectacular start, with a stand of 33, before Stevo departed for 13.

However Ellie played very serenely and saw the innings through to ensure the win was achieved.

She finished on 47no from 93 balls, including six fours.

Although Sandford eventually lost four wickets in reaching 109, the 20 points gained keeps them 18 points clear at the top of their division, needing just three points from next week’s game against second placed Devon Medics at Creedy Park.

So this coming weekend sees the final League games of the 2023 season. As I’ve said previously, the Firsts are at Cornwood, the Seconds at home to Plymstock, both 12.30pm starts, and the Thirds are also at home to Devon Medics with a 1pm start.

Congratulations to Jackson Thompson and his First team players for winning the Premier Division title. In doing so proving they are without doubt, the standout team in Devon cricket this season, having only lost two games, with one game to go. Ironically one of those was the first game of the season, when they were skittled for only 42 at Bovey Tracey, who now find themselves relegated. What a funny ol’ game cricket is!

Looking forward to this coming weekend, hopefully the Seconds can win, and keep their place in the B Division, and the Thirds can win their Division, having headed it all season by only dropping a handful of points.

Phil Matten