SANDFORD are rock bottom in the Premier Division table after going down by four wickets to Bovey Tracey.
Bovey Tracey, who were bottom after the first three rounds of the season, chased 213 to win and got them with five overs to spare.
It couldn’t be much closer at the bottom of the table though with just three points between four teams.
And if Sandford can beat fellow strugglers Hatherleigh this Saturday, they could clamber out of the relegation places.
Faisal Iqbal, who was Bovey Tracey’s overseas player in 2010, top scored with 64 for his current club against one of his former clubs in Sandford’s total of 212 for nine.
Stands that mattered for Sandford were one of 72 between Iqbal and Shaun Hawkins (38) and another of 46 between the Pakistani all-rounder and Chris Simpson (30).
The wickets were shared round for Bovey with Ashley Causey, Toby Codd and Peter Bradley claiming two each.
Bovey experienced early issues against Pete Steer (3-62) as they dipped to five for two, but started to accelerate the innings as Minhaj Jalill (63) and Sean Dalliston (39) got going.
Jalill’s demise to Palmer (2-31) ended a stand of 81 between him and Dalliston and there was a brief wobble as Dalliston and Causey went in short order.
Andy Fairbairn knew what to do, which was get your head down. He made 48 not out and Ben Ayres 16 not out to get Bovey home without further incident.
Bovey skipper Codd admitted it was a relief to bank the first league win of the season.
He added: Our bowling was a lot better and we bowled to some plans and fields.
“Our fielding still needs some work though as we gave them 15 more runs than we should have.
“Batting wise, Minaj and Sean put on a great partnership to get us close. Then Andy Fairbairn showed his experience to get us over the line.
“We still have work to do and hopefully can string a few wins together in the next few weeks to start getting away from the bottom two.”
