PREMIER pacesetters Sandford sidestepped a potential banana skin at Bovey Tracey, where they eventually defeated their lowly opponents by just one wicket. 

Bovey Tracey have found runs hard to come by this season and it was a familiar story against Sandford, who bowled them out for 146. Jake Pascoe (22) and Ed Foreman (23) worked hard for runs while the ball was new.

The only other batter to fend off Sandford’s bowling was Sam Harvey, who went in at 79 for four and was the last man out.

Sandford skipper Jackson Thompson opened the bowling with his flighted spin bowling and finished with three Bovey wickets for 15 runs from 10 overs sent down. Aryan Lakra (2-36) was next best.

Bovey got little or no change out of Matt Jeacock (10-3-24-1).

Sandford lost opener Harrison Jones cheaply, but at 90 for one with Adam Small (42) and Lawrence Walker (35) set, appeared in control.

Ollie Clifford-Bourne’s left-arm spin accounted for Small then Walker three runs apart and once the slide started there was no stopping it.

If Clifford-Bourne (3-41) did not get them, Pete Bradley (3-21) did as Sandford spiralled to 123 for seven then 142 for nine.

The one wicket that Bovey could not take soon enough belonged to Tom Maidment, whose cautious 22 off 44 balls got the target down to six runs.

Thompson (17no) and last man Matt Jeacock (1no) got the job done early in the 44th over.

With victory in the bag, Thompson could afford a wry comment after the match before examining the afternoon’s events.

“Good sides find a way to win games and we are doing that… mostly,” said Thompson.

“We were sitting pretty at 90 for one and then one stayed low to get Adam out, followed by a couple of indecisive shots.

“The pitch was hard to bat on – no doubt! – but it needed application and a sensible approach.

“Bovey bowled well and kept the pressure up on the exact same pitch that saw them capitulate for 51 chasing last week. 

“I thought Sam Harvey played very well for them and had a clear game plan.

“Tom Maidment's innings was crucial for us and one played in a similar way as Harvey.”

Lewis Hammett, standing in for injured Bovey skipper Toby Codd, said it was a ‘great game to be part of’ despite the result.

Hammett added that despite ‘not getting enough runs’ Bovey made Sandford sweat over the outcome.

“Sandford bowled well and consistently on a bowler-friendly wicket, but Sam Harvey batted positively and gave us a chance,” said Hammett.

“After Sandford got off to a good start, Pete Bradley and Ollie Clifford-Bourne bowled really well, picking up wickets along the way. 

“A couple of half-chances went against us which, ultimately meant the game didn’t go our way.

“The boys competed and battled all the way, making it a good game for the spectator.”