Sandford 3rd XI strengthen promotion credentials | Butterfield slams 177 | 'Elliot played a perfect innings and made sure we batted the 40 overs' – Sandford 3rd XI captain Alex Stevens
By OLLIE SMITH
SANDFORD 3rd XI took one step closer to promotion from the G Division Central after defeating their Torquay & Kingskerswell equivalents by 68 runs.
Torquay & Kingskerswell won the toss and elected to field, quickly reducing Sandford to 13-2; dismissing both Rhys James and Jonny Handley for ducks.
Elliot Butterfield was left unscathed at the other end, and he made sure to kick on. Whilst other batters were falling, Butterfield was playing a different game, dispatching the T&K bowlers for boundaries all around the ground, even tucking into the bowling of Zimbabwe international, Adel Zimunu (2-46).
His captain, Alex Stephens (27), was the only Sandford player to stick around long enough to make a contribution, and aside from Butterfield and Stephens, only one other batter reached double figures.
Matt McCann (2-26) of T&K was the only bowler who Butterfield struggled to get away. The Sandford batter put on partnerships worth 50 or more with Alex Stephens (55), James Morgan (58) and Tom Harding (53) before he was run out on the last ball for 177; his knock included 23 fours and eight sixes. The Sandford total was 255 all out after 40 overs.
The T&K response got off to the worst possible start, they lost captain Mike Etherington for a duck with the score at just four. Steve Waters (18) and Matt McCann (20) rebuilt, but Sandford bowler Glyn Baker took three T&K wickets to dismantle the chase.
Preshit Pawar hit a typically quick 49 before he was bowled by Jonny Handley, and Josh Hudson’s 28 included three sixes, but T&K were bowled out for 187 in the penultimate over.
Sandford captain Stephens was delighted with Butterfield’s second score of more than 150 this season, but even more pleased with the responsibility he took throughout the innings.
“Elliot played a perfect innings and made sure we batted the 40 overs after we were put into bat on a tricky wicket,” said Stephens.
“The team put in a great performance, and Jonny Handley bowled two amazing spells, getting the danger man Preshit Pawar out.
“We now need to capitalise on the last two games to guarantee promotion.”
