‘Ridgers still looking for strong finish to campaign

SHL Division Six

Watford Town 206-9 Sandridge 58

Watford won by 148 runs

SANDRIDGE were handed a third straight defeat on Saturday at Watford. The ‘Ridgers were bowled out for a paltry 58 and although there was some mitigation it was a poor batting performance.

Sandridge skipper Peter Camm won the toss and with 30 points needed to stay in the promotion hunt asked Watford to bat first on a damp surface.

Rick Panting (2-39 from 15 overs) provided an ideal start removing both openers and with Lennie Peters bowling with real control at the other end runs were hard to come by. Patience was key and in time Watford started to up the run rate.

Peters bowled all the way through the innings a mammoth 26 overs and finished with 5-78 a super effort. Dave Muskett also chipped in with a couple of wickets but the danger signs were there as the damp wicket started to dry out and an uneven bounce appeared. The Sandridge reply was soon in tatters. Opener Adam Temple retrurning from a long injury lay off was first to go caught brilliantly at short leg and a procession followed.

It was only the efforts of Kevin Murphy, Muskett. Panting and Warwick Pope down the order that gave some albeit very limited respectability to the score. The defeat further dented the ‘Ridgers promotion hopes but with 90 points still to play for they will be hoping for a strong finish to the season.