SANDFORD scraped a one-wicket win over Bradninch in the Premier Division derby clash at Creedy Park.
Sandford skipper Richard Foan probably thought the hard work was done after his bowlers dismissed Bradninch for 142. Jamie Palmer starred with four for 30.
The Sandford innings went in peaks and troughs from 52 for none to 56 for three, then 106 for five to 126 for eight.
Last pair Chris Jelley and Palmer got Sandford over the line with seven balls to spare and just the one wicket intact.
Said Foan: “It was an excellent result but we definitely did it the hard way.”
Palmer took out three of the Bradninch top four for nine runs scored, but Charlie Walker (49) eluded him and with Tim Piper (34) for company 75 was added for the fourth wicket.
Piper was eighth out on 133 having hit just two boundaries in a 97-ball stay.
There was no sign of the struggle to come for Sandford as Neil Bettis (29) and Foan (19) reached 52 without loss.
Gary Chappell (2-25) broke the stand then a combination of Ross Acton (3-42) and Tendai Maruma kept the pressure on.
Zimbabwean Maruma had impressive figures of two for 12 from 10 overs – five of them maidens.
Faisal Iqbal (35) took Sandford into three figures before Acton had him caught behind.
That left Jelley to get Sandford over the line, aided and abetted by the tail enders.
Said Foan: “A great opening spell from Jamie Palmer really put Bradninch on the back foot.
“We bowled to our field and put them under pressure.”
Sandford (7th) go to Exeter this Saturday.
Vanquished skipper Gary Chappell said batting badly was at the heart of his side’s reasons for losing.
“Poor shots cost us and you don't win many games from nine for three,” said Chappell.
“Charlie Walker and Tim Piper batted well to give us something to defend, but ultimately we were at least 50 short.
“The fight we showed in the field was brilliant and in the end we nearly snatched it, so that's a positive moving forward.”
Bradninch (4th) are at home to North Devon in the next round of fixtures.
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