SANDFORD beat Lewdown by 136 runs to move within four points of Hatherleigh at the top of the A Division table.

Two rounds of games ago Hatherleigh looked uncatchable at the top of the table having won 10 games on the trot to lead Sandford in second by more than 30 points.

Hathereleigh lost to Cornwood two weeks ago and were rained off at lowly Brixham last time out.

Sandford have beaten Budleigh and now Lewdown to move right behind Hatherleigh in the race for the divisional crown.

“It is another good win and makes it interesting at the top now,” said Sandford captain Richard Foan.

Foan top scored on 75 for Sandford in a total of 223 for eight in 49 overs – one was lost to rain.

Along the way was a stand of 91 for the second wicket with Paddy Rowe (66).

Rowe was last man out having kept the score ticking over with help from Ryan Glass (22) and others.

Leon Horn (3-36) shaded the wicket taking from Nick Smith (2-35) for Lewdown.

Lewdown’s batting collapsed in a heap from 28 for two to 41 for nine.

Jack Williams made 23 in a losing cause as Pete Steer scythed through the middle order.

Steer had figures of five for 24 from his 10 overs – but took five wickets for five runs at the height of the slide. Four of those came in one hit.

Brian Leach (2-17) provided the back up.

Foan said he was always confident after putting 200-plus on the board.

“We had to work hard on a very wet wicket after losing the toss,” said Foan.

“Our 223 was always going to be a good total on that wicket.

“Then Peter Steer bowled really well in the conditions.”