Small and Walker steer Sandford to win over Cornwood after Allen lays the foundations

Jay Bista – made a hundred in a losing cause for Cornwood against Sandford

SANDFORD ultimately cruised to a seven-wicket win over Cornwood that moved them up to second place in the Premier Division table.

Cornwood were unable to capitalise on the groundwork laid by openers Max Finzel and Jay Bista against Sandford – and it came back to haunt them.

Bista (110) made a century and Finzel weighed in 63 towards an opening stand of 178 that appeared to put Cornwood in control.

Ten overs out Cornwood were on 213 for three and, with wickets in hand, poised for a late dash for runs. It did not happen.

A four-wicket burst from Harry Everett (4-31) and three more for Jackson Thompson (3-37) slowed Cornwood to 251 all out. Losing four wickets getting from 226 to 234 did not help.

Sandford set off in hot pursuit with opener Sandy Allen (84) leading the charge.

When Matt Skeemer (2-47) snared Allen lbw and dismissed Thompson the same way soon after, Sandford were 177 for three. Allen and Adam Small put on 123 for the second wicket.

Any thoughts of a middle-order collapse were dispelled by Small (82no) and Lawrence Walker (28no), who put on 78 unbroken to win the game with more than six overs to go.

Richard Foan, the Sandford captain and a 20-season veteran of Devon League cricket, said he doubted he had ever been involved in a game like it.

“I am not sure I have played in a game with such a big turnaround after a drinks break,” said Foan.

“For us to take Cornwood from 180 for none to 250 all out showed great character. 

“Harry Everett was brilliant with the ball. He put every delivery in the right spot and made it really difficult for their batters. He had good support from Jamie, Jake and Jackson at the other end. 

“With the bat we dominated from the start and put pressure on Cornwood’s bowlers. 

“Sandy (Allen) was brilliant and was unlucky not to get a deserved century. 

“Adam showed great composure once again with another fantastic innings. 

“Our batting has been the stand-out this summer. It is great to have so many players contributing and not just relying on one or two.”

Elliott Staddon, the Cornwood captain, conceded his side did not make the best of their early dominance with the bat.

"On reflection we were light with the bat after being in such a good position going into the last 15 overs of the innings,” said Staddon.

“Sandford batted well and some early wickets may have made things different, but they were always ahead of the rate.

“We tried just about all bowling options we had, but did not bowl well and struggled to build pressure.”

Victory moves Sandford up to second in the table behind leaders North Devon. Cornwood are now one place and two points clear of the bottom two as Bradninch moved past them by defeating Heathcoat.