SANDFORD came crashing down to earth after their opening day win over Budleigh Salterton when they lost by 45 runs at Chudleigh.

Another Sandford win seemed on the cards after Chudleigh were bowled out for 138 – Rob Clarke scored 40 for the home side.

Sandford fared even worse when they batted, slipping to 93 all out.

The last six wickets went for just 10 runs as Sandford folded.

Sandford captain Ryan Glass said conditions were difficult for batters at Kate Brook and his side took too long to adjust.

“We probably let Chudleigh get 20-30 too many, but saying Rob Clarke batted really well for them.

“When we batted they bowled excellently on a hard wicket to score runs on.

“We tried to bat as if we were playing on a Sandford wicket, which cost us.

“The wicket was a leveller. They knew their conditions and played to them well.”

Clarke’s 40 was crucial  for Chudleigh as they had just lost three wickets for 15 runs and were 66 for six when Shaun Newland went almost immediately.

Matt Heather had made 22 and Corey Sinclair 17. No one else got past seven.

Clarke was last man out for Chuleigh, getting his 40 the hard way with just three boundaries in a 68-ball stay. The tail-enders just hung around while he did the scoring.

The wickets were shared round with two each for Glass, Jamie Palmer, Pete Steer, Russ Discombe and Ben Clement.

Discombe (26) got Sandford to 48 for two in reply, then fell to man of the match Clarke.

Plenty of batters got in and got out – Matt Hopkins made 10, Shane Evenden 18 and Glass 10 – but all of them used up plenty of overs.

Clarke (4-15) kept whittling out batsman , then Sinclair joined in.

Sinclair took three for 12 in 13 balls as Sandford’s last six wickets tumbled in a hurry.

Chudleigh captain  Ed Foreman said there is work to be done on elements of the game, but one thing not lacking is a competitive edge.

“I was extremely happy to defeat a top side like Sandford,” said Foreman.

“Once again our bowling and fielding was exceptional and we made runs really hard to come by.

“Our main focus is obviously putting more runs on the board.

“It's nice to know we can defend 140, but I do not expect us to do that more times than not.

“We have the ability to score big but people need to start putting their hands up and taking responsibility.”