HEATHCOAT will be trying to avoid a third defeat in the last four games when the entertain Sidmouth on Saturday.
Saturday’s four-wicket defeat by Paignton at Knightshayes dropped Heathcoat down to sixth in the table.
Sixth in the table may not sound too bad, but Heathcoat are only five points clear of the relegation places now, which is serious.
Heathcoat were bowled out for 225 with an over and a half to go – and were glad of their last three batters for getting that far.
In a running total of 65 for four in the 15th over, Jackson Thompson (29) had the only score of note.
Simon Sobczak (30) and Will Thompson (245) added 42 for the fifth wicket, but once they were parted it was downhill all the way to 142 for eight when Sobczak fell to Tristan Coetzee (3-46).
Matt Hodson (40no) stuck around for an hour with Matt Hague (17) and last man Jack Menheneott (12) to add another 83.
Menheneott (2-52) spun out South African dangerman Tristan Coetzee (21) early, which proved a mixed blessing.
Paignton’s in-form captain Richard Ashworth, who took an unbeaten 129 off North Devon two weeks ago, came in at three and batted through for an unbeaten 92.
Along the way there were stands of 45 with Noah Wright, 25 with Dan Wolf, 36 with Connor Bryan (16) and a brace of 33s with Harry Ward and Rob Shergold.
George Benton was unbeaten on 21 with Ashworth when the last runs were knocked off with 14 balls to go.
Heathcoat’s bowlers operated largely in four-an-over territory or lower – Jamie Drew and Matt Hague excepted – but lacked the wicket-taking knack.
Heathcoat will be without holidaying skipper Peter Randerson against Sidmouth. Sam Smith will lead the side.
Batsman Jack Dart misses the second of three consecutive games during the exam season at his university.
Winning skipper Ashworth felt his side went about winning the game the hard way at times.
“We bowled well up front and looked like we would only be chasing around 160,” said Ashworth.
“We really let it slip in the field towards the end and, to be fair to their guys coming in down the order, they batted really well.
“Tristan got us off to a good start again and everyone who batted chipped in and built partnerships, which got us over the line in the end.
“The game always looked in the balance but we never let ourselves get too far behind the rate.
“The guys coming in at the end did a great job of keeping the scoreboard ticking.
“George (Benton) batted fantastically coming in a 8 and swung the game in our favour with a few big hits in the 46th over.”
