CORNWOOD dealt a terminal blow to Sandford’s chances of retaining the Premier Division title when they defeated them by 25 runs at Creedy Park.

Opener Ryan Rickard compiled a top score of 69 for Cornwood on the way to their 219 total, helped along by Devon duo Ben Privett (21) and Matt Skeemer (39), as well as captain Elliot Staddon.

Aryan Lakra (3-36) and Lawrence Walker (4-19) were their primary wicket-takers.

Sandford needed someone in the top six to make a score to hang a chase on – and none of them made more than Lakra (19) against James Richardson (2-28) and Jack Ormsby (3-17).

Nav Fernando (2-33) deepened Sandford’s woes and they were 100-7 when Jackson Thompson took guard.

12 boundaries meant the injured Thompson did not run much while making 65 off 70 balls but it came too late to alter the outcome.

Matt Jeacock, who put on 60 with his captain, was eight not out when Ben Beaumont twirled out Sandford’s last man Jamie Palmer.