Devon Cricket Board - Sandford prove point with win over Bovey

Sandford prove point with win over Bovey

SANDFORD showed what they can do on a good day when they won by four wickets at Bovey Tracey.
The Creedy Parkers were already resigned to relegation before the game having only won twice in the previous 16 outings – the last time being way back on July 5 against Cornwood.
It looked like the same old story for Sandford as Bovey amassed 260 for four in their 50 overs – skipper Andy Fairbairn making the top score of 89.
But an unbeaten century from South African Laundre Van Wyk – Lampie to his team-mates - saw Sandford chase down the total with nearly two overs to spare.
Victory changes nothing – Sandford are still going down – but for skipper Jamie Palmer it was something to be proud of.
“We put ourselves in a position to win the game, but unlike so many other games this year we saw it through,” said Palmer.
“I thought 260 was a few above par so to chase it down was very satisfying.
“Lampies’ knock was superb and perfectly paced.
“It is a shame it has come a couple of games too late for us, but I'm proud of the lads for not rolling over when there's nothing to play for.”
Fairbairn’s 89 not out off 118 balls with nine fours and a six was the anchorman knock Bovey batted round.
There were stands of 58 with Matt Golding – he made a brisk 40 off 32 balls – and an unbroken stand of 131 with Lewis Hammett.
Hammett stroked 67 off 58 balls with eight fours and a six.
Pete Steer – two for 39 from 10 – was Sandford’s best bowler measured in runs and wickets.
Sandford made an uncertain start with Ryan Glass, Russ Discombe and Richard Tucker all out for 46 on the board. Ryan Bougourd took two of the wickets.
VanWyk and Adrian Small then embarked on a 167-run stand that put Sandford on course for victory.
Small was out for 71 at 213 for four – chancing his arm against Bougourd and getting it wrong – but by then the outcome wasn’t in doubt.
Sandford can only wonder what they might have achieved had Small been fit all season.
No one currently playing has scored more Premier runs than Small, who belongs to an elite group of players to make 1,000 runs in a Premier season. That’s a lot of experience to be with out.
Van Wyk was on 103 not out when the target was passed.
Fairbairn said Sandford deserved plenty of credit for chasing a big total, but added Bovey didn’t help themselves.
“We let ourselves down with our bowling performance, which is a rarity for us this year,” said Fairbairn.
“Our bowling has been the best in the division, based on bowling points gained, so I'm not going to dwell on one performance too much. Everyone is allowed an off day.
“We have lost both games when we haven't had a proper wicketkeeper, which isn't a coincidence.
“The guys who have stepped in have done a great job but you really need a quality keeper to win games at this level.
“One game left and we will be looking to finish a decent season on a high.”

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