SANDFORD'S batsmen showed the stickability that has been lacking at times this season to hold on for a draw against North Devon on Saturday.

Opener Dan Bowser hit exactly 100, then got out next ball, as North Devon amassed 289 for six at Creedy Park.

Sandford had lots of chip-in scores towards a total of 204 for six in reply, the best of which were made by Tianne Mostert (43) and Jamie Palmer (39). North Devon flogged Sandford around from the start, with Bowser and Jason Hayes (46) posting 94.

Getting Hayes out — he was bowled by Palmer — didn't slow the rate as Stuart Rhodes (66) took the total up to 208 for two before Ryan Glass got him out.

Bowser, who hit 10 fours and two sixes from 142 balls faced, carried on until the score reached 270 for three. The next ball after he reached 100 was hit straight to Russ Discombe at mid-off to give Mostert the first of his three wickets.

Mostert also accounted for ex-Sandford and Devon left-hander Neil Bettis, who took 43 off his old teammates with three fours and three sixes during a 31-ball stay.

Sandford's batting has lacked durability this season and it started to look like the same old story as the middle order squandered a bright start.

Discombe had gone cheaply — Bowser taking a second-hand slip catch on the bounce from Bettis — but Adrian Small (28) and Mostert (43) took the tally up to 64 before the next wicket fell.

Problems started when Sandford old boy Jas Kalsi caught Mike Durand at mid-wicket and then Matt Theedom just inside the boundary rope to leave the home side 90 for four.

When Mark Prideaux and Mostert went, Sandford were 126 for six with 12 overs to go. The rot stopped there though as Paul Smith (30) and Palmer batted out the time to earn the draw.