Skeemer (pictured) and Staddon guide Cornwood to six-wicket win at Sandford | 'Matt paced his innings so well and it was really nice batting together for so long' – skipper Elliott Staddon

MATT Skeemer and Elliott Staddon gave Cornwood a massive helping hand towards a six-wicket win at Sandford with a match-turning stand of 179.

Cornwood were 75 for four in reply to Sandford’s 50-over total of 253 for nine when skipper Staddon went out to join Skeemer. Ben Beaumont was just out for 42.

The Cornwood captains past and present did not let the Sandford bowlers settle – none bowled a maiden at then during the 29 overs they were together – and steadily accumulated runs.

Every so often there was a ‘big’ over – one from Matt Jeacock cost 17 runs, two from Harrison Jones went for 11 – which kept the Wood up or ahead of the asking rate.

Three overs out the target was 11 to win and Skeemer needed 10 to reach a maiden Premier Division ton.

Cornwood got the 11 they needed – two fours from Skeemer settled it – but for the second time in the same place he was stuck on 99 not out.

“It was a real top knock from Matt,” said Staddon, whose own contribution was 70 not out.

“Matt paced his innings so well and it was really nice batting together for so long. It was great to chase down a total like that.

“Matt was 99 not out against Sandford once before (2017) when we lost there in a cup match. The second of the two fours he hit at the end landed 10 foot inside the rope. Such a shame as he deserved a hundred.”

Sandford’s total owed plenty to a stand of 128 for the fourth wicket between Aryan Lakra (68) and Adam Small (76) that improved the total to 152 for three.

Lakra went first, caught behind off Staddon, then Small become the first of three more scalps for left-arm spinner Lee Baker.

Baker, enjoying an Indian summer at the age of 44, now has 38 Premier Division wickets for the season at an average below 13 runs each.

Maidment made a run-a-ball 42 down the order for Sandford in the later overs.

Three defeats on the trot, and four in the previous five starts, have slashed Sandford's previous 42-point safety margin down to just nine.

Sandford (176pts) are third from bottom in the Premier Division with Heathcoat (167) immediately below them in the second relegation place and Sidmouth (178) immediately above. Creedy Park promises to be no place for those of a nervous disposition this Saturday when Sidmouth pay a visit.

Jackson Thompson, the Sandford captain, said: “After a good recovery with the bat, it was another tough day at the office.

“Aryan and Adam played beautifully and Tom Maidment at the end gave us the best opportunity to defend a score. 

“Unfortunately, we ran into Cornwood’s best players and some decisions not going our way. These things happen…

“Two more to go, and we will give it our best shot.”