Harry Everett continues to provide reports from promotion-chasing sides in the lower divisions..:

First played second placed in the DCL H Division East to decide the title. Going into the last round of fixtures Sandford 3rd XI played the new league club Devon Medics & Cranbrook CC, the home side needing three points to secure the title but a win would see them become the only side in the Tolchards DCL to go unbeaten all season. 

Batting first DM&CCC got off to a flier hitting the Sandford bowling to all parts of the ground. Openers Prince Joseph and Ahsin Raja posting a 108 run partnership before Raja fell for 52 off 39 balls. 

After the dismissal of Prince Joseph for 44 Sandford managed to add some control to the run rate and pick up wickets at regular intervals. The pick of the bowlers being Emily Wilson (pictured left) who took 4 wickets for 32 off 8 overs, and Ellie Bishop (taking one wicket and going at less than 4 runs per over.)

Sandford's six bowlers had the oldest at a mere 20 years of age, all to a 16-year-old wicketkeeper. DM&CCC finished on 239 from their 40 overs. 

In reply Sandford never really got going. Veteran Jon James hit a quick 44 but nobody could support him for long against a potent bowling attack. Sandford subsided to 116 all out. 

Shallu Sunny the pick of the bowlers taking 5 for 27 with Viper Mandalia taking 2 wickets for 3 runs. 

The six points gained from this game ensured Sandford won the H division East title and capped a brilliant season playing cricket on the new second pitch built at Creedy park for the first time this season.

Devon Medics & Cranbrook are going to be promoted as the wild card club in the three H Divisions with the best average points record among the runners-up. Which division they go into has not been determined yet and will depend on the geographical requirements of putting equal numbers into 10-team divisions.