Sandford close out two-run win over Tavistock | 'We didn’t let them get away and had the game under control for the vast majority' – Adam Small

SANDFORD closed-out a two-run win over lowly Tavistock in a Premier Division showdown that see-sawed this way then that!

Harry Southgate top scored for Sandford with 89 in their 50-over total of 261 for eight.

Tavistock opener Elliot Hamilton was dismissed three balls into the final over of the game for 106 with seven needed to win. That proved too many as Tavistock closed on 259 for eight.

Southgate was the middle-order fulcrum others batted around as Sandford built on a solid start. Tambir Hayder (27) was first responder, Adam Small (40) was at the other end during a partnership of 88 and Harrison Jones (39) was the supporting act in a stand worth 68 more.

Tavistock’s stand-out bowlers were Ahmad Hassan (2-44) and Tom Clarke (2-40). 

Rhys Davies (3-68) contained well for a while, but took some stick in four costly overs at the end. His compensation was three wickets at the death.

“Another superb knock from Southgate and was a real shame he didn’t get to three figures,” said Sandford skipper Small. “A good cameo by Jones got us to a defendable score.”

Although Tavvy opener James White missed out – he came and went in the space of three balls – Hamilton and Hassan (59) got the reply up to 108 for two approaching the halfway stage.

The chase slowed under pressure from Hayder (2-45) and Jackson Thompson (1-36) until the arrival of Billy Barriball got things moving again.

When Barriball was dismissed with nine balls to go, he had contributed 55 to a stand of 88 for the seventh wicket. Had he hung around just a little bit longer, the chase might have had a different outcome. Small did not think so.

“We didn’t let them get away and had the game under control for the vast majority,” said Small.

“A couple of good partnerships almost took the game away from us, but I think our boys showed good composure to stay in the fight all the way.”

Sean Cleave, the Tavistock captain, said: “Once again, we took the game right down to the final over but, unfortunately, ended up on the wrong side of the result. 

“Huge credit to Elliot, who was superb once again. His outstanding century showed his class and guts.

“Tom Clarke continues to show everyone just how good he is with the ball.

“Looking back, there were moments that could have tipped things in our favour, but that’s cricket sometimes.

“We will dust ourselves down, keep working hard and go again next week. I’m more confident than ever that these performances will soon start turning into wins.”

Defeat leaves Tavistock one off the bottom of the Tolchards DCL Premier table going into part two of the season, which gets under way at home to Bradninch & Kentisbeare this Saturday.

Sandford, now up to fifth in the table, commence the second half of the season this Saturday at home to third-from-bottom Plymouth.