SANDFORD 2ndXI go into the final round of matches in East Two involved in a four-way scrap for the Tier Three play-offs.
East Two is the closest division of them all in among the 32 that make up this season’s Devon League with just two points separating all four teams.
All four – Exeter 2ndXI, Clyst SG and Exmouth II – go into round six knowing they can top the group.
Sandford stirred the mix by defeating leaders Exeter last time out by 36 runs to close the gap between first and second to 0.25 of a point.
The two Toms – Williams (33) and Gidney (43) propped up Sandford’s middle order and with Adam Creasey making 31 a total of 200 for seven was posted.
Exeter’s Naj Choudhary spun away for figures of three for 40.
Exeter appeared favourites at 145 for four, having got there largely due to Lucas Soeller (41), Robin Fern (23) and Elliot Barnes (29).
Losing the next six wickets for just 19 runs was never part of the plan, but that’s what happened as Neil Maud (3-24) and Pete Steer (4-23) bowled Exeter out for 164.
Sandford are at home to Exmouth this Saturday. Exeter entertain Clyst St George.
CLYST St George skipper Harry Attwater was left to reflect on what might have been after his side’s three-wicket defeat by Exmouth 2ndXI.
Opener Dan Kendall top scored with 84 not out for Clyst in their total of 218 for six. Along the way there were stands of 56 with Harry O’Dwyer (25) and 51 with Joe Farmer (29). Bertie Creer (21no) and Inder Singh (25) chipped in lower down.
Greg Marks (3-21) took Exmouth’s bowling honours.
Skipper Richard Baggs (40) gave Exmouth a start, getting them to 126 for three with Louis Morison (69), then Stuart Rintoul (32) kept the chase going.
Thirty-eight extras, 28 of which were wides, helped Exmouth over the line with seven balls to go.
“All those wides and the extra balls made it more than a little frustrating to lose with seven balls left at the end,” said Attwater.
