HEATHCOAT’S Premier Division survival prospects look a little rosier thanks to a hefty 138-run win over outgoing champions Sidmouth.
Sidmouth were without their two Devon all-rounders – county captain Josh Bess and his younger brother Zak – which probably helped Heathcoat’s cauase.
You can only beat what is in front of you though and the size of Heathcoat’s win was certainly emphatic enough to suggest they were worthy winners.
And with fellow relegation candidates Torquay and Exeter both losing, Heathcoat’s situation certainly improved.
Victory moved Heathcoat 15 points away from the trap door into the A Division with two games to go, starting with champs elect Bovey Tracey this Saturday.
Tom Sturgess (41) got Heathcoat up and running against Sidmouth then Jackson Thompson (63) settled in as middle order anchorman.
Thompson shared stands of 46 with Peter Randerson (22), 94 with Jack Dart (67) and 33 with Will Thompson, who went on to make 28 not out in a total of 26 for seven.
Liam Lewis, the former Heathcoat captain and Blundell’s school master, was Sidmouth’s leading wicket taker with three for 59.
Young spinner Max Hancock had one for 35 from 10 overs.
Sidmouth had it all to do after dipping to 94 for five with Anthony Griffiths back in the hutch for a top score of 31.
Jamie Drew (4-35) demolished the top order, then Matt Hodson (4-8) got into the rest as Sidmouth were dismissed for 128.
BRADNINCH skipper Gary Chappell cracked a second successive Premier ton, and Matt Foster was five runs short of doing the same, in the 109-run win over Paignton.
Chappell followed his century against Bovey Tracey with 155 not out as Bradninch amassed 321 for three in their 50 overs.
Foster, who also had a ton against Bovey, was out for 95 off 99 balls having put on 204 for the second wicket with Chappell.
Chappell and Foster both passed 900 league runs for the season during the match.
George Benton’s bowling figures – two for 51 – stood out for Paignton.
Paignton were all out for 212 in reply, opener Noah Wright making 50 when the going was good.
Chappell (4-14) and Foster (3-43) worked their way through the Paignton batting until they got to DanWolf, who made a top score of 64.
No one else made more than 17 in Paignton’s all-out total of 212.
Bradninch go to Exeter this Saturday looking for the win that will effectively guarantee them second-placed.
