EXMOUTH are on course or a make-or-break clash with Sidmouth this Saturday after beating Exmouth by 44 runs as the Premier Division title race heats up.

Going into the latest round of fixtures it was neck-and-neck between Exeter and Exmouth behind Sidmouth with Heathcoat down in fourth.

Exmouth trail Sidmouth by 21 points at the top and can’t afford to lose when the sides meet on Saturday.

Exeter are down from third to fourth, 41 points off the pace, as Heathcoat’s win over Torquay took them into third spot.

Opener David Lye made a top score of 84 – his first total of 50-plus this season – as Exmouth amassed 249 for six on the County Ground,

Lye opened up with Sandy Allen, an early casualty to Ben Green, and featured in stands of 30 with Callum French, 46 with Dan Pyle and 72 with Bob Dawson.

Blake Reed (2-44) removed Lye in the 33rd over, leaving Exmouth 156 for four.

Skipper Richard Baggs fell 10 runs later to Dom Bess (2-38) but if Exeter were hoping to provoke a collapse it didn’t happen.

Dawson made a patient 53 and was marginally the senior partner in a stand of 60 with Finlay Marks (34no) that helped Exmouth reach 249 for six.

Exmouth pacer George Greenway was a man with a point to prove against Exeter – and made it with a five-wicket haul as the city side were bowled out for 204.

Greenway left Exeter a month into the season in search of regular 1st XI cricket and was always going to have a bit more motivation for this game.

Rob Holman’s studious 58 off 65 balls took Exeter to 110 for four approaching half way.

Exeter kept going with Sean Morris (28) and Alfonso Thomas (57) knocking off 63.

Callum French (2- 32) broke the stand when he had Morris caught behind by Allen. It was Allen’s fifth catch of the innings and equaled the club record held for more than 20 years by Charlie Pritchard.

Back came Greenway for a third spell and wickets started to tumble.

Exeter lost their last four wickets for 13 runs, Thomas the ninth man out at 199 to Aaron Paul (3-36).

Exmouth captain Baggs said it was ‘a massive win’ and one the team fully deserved for their efforts.

He added: “Dave Lye, Bob Dawson and Fin Marks batted really well against a very good attack,” said Baggs.

“Dave and Bob dug in and ground it out which was very good to see.

“George greenway showed great character after a poor first over to come back strong and rip through their middle order.

“Aaron Paul once again got big wickets at crucial times.”

Miles Lenygon, the Exeter captain, said if you drop David Lye before he scores a run it is likely to prove expensive.

“Had we taken that catch we were chasing a much smaller total,” said Lenygon.

“After his one chance Dave batted brilliantly on a testing wicket.

“We were still very much in the chase but the same mistakes are costing us.

”Boys got starts with the bat but no one went on and made a match-changing innings.

“Alfonso batted brilliantly at the end, but our lower and middle order didn't give him enough support.”