Whilst many were glued to the free viewing of the World Cup on Sunday, a mum sat pitchside and watched proudly, yet nervously, as her daughter, Jemima Vereker, who was playing for Sandford in their league match against Bradnich, made the batting performance of her career so far. Sandford had won the toss and elected to bat, but after the loss of two quick wickets from the bowling of Abby Hayes, Jemima came in at three and was soon joined by her captain, Lottie Mils at number four. They needed to keep calm and build a partnership to steady the innings. 

And build an innings they did. Team Captain Lottie, who was 14 when she started playing for Sandford, has always had an enthusiastic, encouraging and competitive attitude towards her cricket. She is supportive of everyone in the team, young, old, beginner or experienced and this really showed as she guided Jemima through her innings. Together they scored regular boundaries, making the most of the gaps in the field. As a partnership, they scored 37 boundary fours ( Lottie 24, Jemima 13) and bypassing the fielders altogether, Lottie hit six, sixes, which is now the record for most sixes hit in a Devon Women's League Game. At the end of the innings, Lottie and Jemima had built an unbeaten third wicket partnership of 315, which is not only a new Women's League record, but a club record, as across all club teams, the previous unbeaten partnership was 219. 

Both not out, Lottie and Jemima ended with personal best scores, both scoring over 100, which is the first time ever there have been two centuries scored in one innings in a Ladies League game.  For Jemima this was her first ever century, taking the place as second highest score for the Women's league this year. She showed great concentration and maturity to bat for so long and the club and team are extremely proud of her achievement. She is second in the highest score table, only to Lottie who scored 182 not out. This is the highest ever individual score in the Devon Women's League, beating Claire Varcoe's 154 last season playing for Plymouth vs North Devon, and her own personal best of 149. The completed total for the innings, 346, is now also the highest ever innings scorein the Women's League, beating the North Devon score of 337 in a game against Topsham St James in 2016. 

Aswell as league records, the game has also broken club records, aside from the best third wicket partnership, Jane White (team manager) confirms that 346-2 is the highest ever score for the Ladies since they were established in 1998. Lottie's 182 not out is now the highest not out score for any player at Sandford Cricket Club, beating Matt Theedom's previous 171 not out score, set in 2016 in a game against Budleigh Salterton (according to records held on Play Cricket).  It was truly a record breaking innings for Sandford Ladies and difficult for Bradnich to follow.

Bradnich took to the crease with determination, but like Sandford, two early wickets fell to the bowling of Ellie Bishop. Clare Whitworth (29) and Abby Hayes started to build a partnership, but the loss of both their wickets at 53 and 60, meant Megan Acton (37) and Sarah Stanbury (23)  had to start to rebuild the innings again. Bowling different team members, which is something Lottie always ensures she does to keep everyone in the game, Bradnich built a good partnership and just as they were about to make a half century partnership, Megan lost her wicket to Michelle Madge and Bradnich were 109 for 5. Sarah Stanbury continued to bat well and there was some good rotating of the strike from the tailenders, but in the end the bowling of Ellie Bishop was to be the better of them, taking the last 3 wickets in 5 balls, Bradnich were bowled out for 136. Ellie Bishop ended her 5.5 over spell with 5 wickets for only 10 runs. These bowling figures put Ellie in the top ten of best bowling figures for the Ladie's League this season and in the top 20 for Sandford club figures. 

It truly was a record breaking day, with the game not only to have two centuries, but also a five wicket haul, which has never happened before in the Ladies' game. Credit should be given to Bradnich for their sportsmanship and resilience during the game, but the day goes to Sandford, who are proving to be a force to be reckoned with in the second division. Speaking to Lottie afterwards, she said " I'm super proud of this team! The energy and enthusiasm they bring to each match is really paying off,  but I think the most impressive thing is the determination and effort put in by everyone to do their very best for their teammates - the support these players have for each other is amazing. They make my job as captain, very easy and enjoyable" 

 

 

Please note that statistics are taken from data kept on Play Cricket to date.