SANDFORD defeated Budleigh Salterton in a game that went right down to the last ball.

Charles Fitzroy stroked a top score of 53 and skipper Richard Foan made 42 in Sandford’s total of 208 all out in the 49th of their 50 overs.

A rain break lopped 14 overs off Budleigh’s allocation and left them chasing 150 to win in 36.

A half-century by Elliot Rice and a brisk 37 from Trevor Anning against his old club helped Budleigh reach the final over needing 12 to win.

Budleigh got 10 and lost by two runs.

It could not have been much closer, but skipper Foan was satisfied to clinch a second successive A Division win,

“It was another close game but a good win and pleasing to get the points,” said Foan.

“There was a fine batting display from Charlie Fitzroy and good to see Neil Bettis get some time in the middle.

“Ramesh Lakmal bowled an excellent opening spell to get us on top.

“Hopefully we can get a win before the last ball against Lewdown this Saturday.”

Former Devon batsman Bettis opened up with Foan and made 26 of the first 40 on the board.

Foan went next on 76, the second of four wickets for James Leat, which brought Shaun Hawkins in to join Fitzroy.

Hawkins came and went for 23, but Fitzro kept going and kept the score ticking over with Ryan Glass (21).

Budleigh skipper Anning (3-25) returned at the death to claim his third wicket.

Budleigh, who were without Somerset’s Max Waller, lost Matt Junk and Steve Booth to Lakmal (2-36) and Ben Phillips to Pete Steer reaching 58 for three.

Rice (55) and Anning (37no) took Budleigh close but not close enough.

Beaten captain Joel Murphy felt it was a good game between two well-matched sides spoiled by the weather.

“It rained at the wrong time for us and made it an unsatisfactory game,” said Murphy.

“I felt we were in a good position to win had it been a complete game.

“We play under the rules we have and you have to accept that. But I wonder whether the result would have been different with Duckworth Lewis, which they have in the Premier?”

Murphy picked out opening bowler Lloyd Murrin for a pat on the back, saying he didn’t get the wickets he deserved.