Tom Lammonby - runs and wickets for Exeter against Sanford

SANDFORD ran into in-form Exeter on the County Ground and came off badly second best by eight wickets.

Faisal Iqbal top scored for Sandford for 54 in their total of 205 for nine.

Skipper Richard Foan (30) and Neil Bettis (31) put on 58 for the first wicket, followed by Ryan Glass (23) and Bettis adding 30 more.

Iqbal went in when Bettis fell to Finn O’Brien (2-23) and batted through to the fall of the fifth wicket at 164.

An Exeter bowling attack with England U19 pair Tom Lamomnby (3-40) and Ethan Bamber (2-26) was always going to pose problems for the lower order. And so it proved.

Four wickets fell for 14 runs added before tail-ender Pete Steer (16no) showed some resolve at the end.

Exeter opened up with former England Under-19 duo Alex Barrow (24) and Ben Green, with Lammonby going in at three.

Barrow went at 29, which left Green and Lammonby (59) to notch 121 for the second wicket.

Glass (2-35) took a return catch to dismiss Lammonby, but it made little difference to the outcome.

Green, 83 not out off 125 balls, and Sean Morris (24no) saw Exeter home with more than four overs to spare.

Winning captain Barrow said it may have been a comprehensive win, but Exeter have room for improvement.

“We created chances but didn't take a couple of them, which allowed Sandford to establish a good platform,” said Barrow.

“In our second 25 overs, I thought we were brilliant with the ball. 

“Lammers, Baycock and Bamber were all disciplined through the middle overs and Finn O'Brien gave us a real attacking threat with his off-spin.

“Green and Lammers played really maturely on a wicket that offered assistance if you put the ball in the right area.”

Sandford skipper Foan said the result was a setback, not a disaster.

“We came up against a better team on the day and our season will not be judged on losing to Exeter,” said Foan. 

“I felt we did well to make 200 on a pitch that suited their attack. 

“One more wicket early on and it would have been a different game. 

“They batted very well and didn't really offer a chance, apart from two unplayable deliveries for our two wickets.”

Defeat leaves Sandford second bottom going into this Saturday’s basement clash with winless Bovey Tracey. 

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