SANDFORD slipped within seven points of the A Division relegation zone after losing by 57 runs at Lewdown.

Lewdown totted up 193 for seven in a game reduced to 36 overs each – opener Johannes Wessels hitting a top score of 106.

Wessels has scored four hundreds in the league already his season and his ‘failures’ in his other two innings were 81 against Bradninch and 68 versus Ipplepen. He has taken 19 wickets too!

Sandford were all out for 136 in reply, Lewdown captain Tallan Burns knocking over the first four before Wessels (3-22) got into the middle and lower order.

Sandford haven’t won in four outings – one of which at Hatherleigh was rained off – and if they slip up against lowly Ipplepen this Saturday they will be in trouble.

By the time Matt Theedom (3-36) got Wessels out he had put on 54 with Harry Geering (21), 39 with former Exeter all-rounder Billy Searle (19) and 49 with Burns (18).

Russell Discombe had Geering and Matt Witcher in his two for 35 return.

Discombe and Sandford captain Ryan Glass reached 33 without loss before Burns intervened.

Glass (20), Discombe, Matt Hopkins and Toby Lochead all went for 21 runs added.

Theedom (24) and Shaun Hawkins (37) resisted for a while but after Wessels accounted for Hawkins it was downhill all the way.

The last four wickets went for 18 runs, Dan Fogerty adding some pace to the mix at the end.

Winning skipper Burns said: “Having reduced the overs 180-200 looked a good score on a wicket that could suit both bowlers and batters.

“Johann batted very well once again and there were three or four who scored 20 to get us up to our score.

“The key for defending it once again was stopping partnerships and we did that.

“A very good performance, especially our bowling and fielding.”

Losing skipper Glass was pragmatic in defeat.

“Wessels is a quality player and won the game with a quality knock,” said Glass.

“It got harder to bat second time round after the rain.

“Lewdown have some decent seamers and bowled well in the conditions.”