Huge task ahead for Sandford says Palmer

SANDFORD appear to have their work cut out to avoid relegation after suffering a 74-run defeat at North Devon

Bottom side Sandford are only two points behind Cornwood and could realistically get past them.

It’s getting past Torquay that is going to the problem as that gap is 27 points.

The two sides meet this Saturday with 22 points on offer, so Sandford can’t get ahead of Torquay even if they win.

Defeat will probably confirm the inevitable for Sandford, not that skipper Jamie Palmer is waving the white flag.

"We face a huge task if we are going to stay up and, realistically, need to win at least three of our last four games,” said Palmer.

“I am glad we showed a bit of fight with the bat as it would have been all to easy to roll over and get stuffed, especially with the quality North Devon have with the ball.

“It as also really good to see Tom Mitcham score 90 not out and carry his bat as something we have been missing this season is a solid start.

“It would be good if we can take this into the final stretch of the season.”

Max Curtis hit an unbeaten 101 at run-a-ball rate for North Devon in a hefty 45-over total of 32.

After Neil Bettis and Barney Huxtable got North Devon off to an unspectacular start, Rob Gear (62) and Curtis started to get on with it.

The stand stood at 60 when Gear fell to Ryan Glass (2-45), not that it made much difference to the scoring rate.

Out came Somerset’s Jamie Overton to join Curtis and then the fireworks really started.

Overton bludgeoned 53 of 28 balls, assisted by seven fours and a six.

The stand stood at 78 when Overton holed out to Peter Steer.

Then Curtis cut loose.  He raced from 50 to 100 in just 27 deliveries, accumulating seven fours and two sixes along the way.

Tom Allin (29) kept his end intact while Curtis was at full chat in one last stand of 62.

Sandford went for respectability from the start with Mitcham shoring up one end.

There were stands of 112 with Ryan Glass (43) , other of 63 with Adrian Small (27) and a cameo of 34 with Laundre Van Wyk.

Van Wyke belted 31 in just 12 balls to get Sandford within touching distance of maximum batting points.


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