NO one at Knigthshayes is getting carried away by Heathcoat’s elevation to second place in the Premier Division after a seven-run win over Exeter– least of all skipper Peter Randerson.

In an all-change top four Heathcoat are now second with the halfway stage arriving this Saturday when Randerson and the team go to Sandford.

Sidmouth, who were top, dropped down to fourth after losing to North Devon.

Exmouth’s win over Bradninch puts them level on points with Sidmouth (123pts) but ahead on batting bonus points.

Heathcoat (125pts), who were third, went second after beating Exeter (127), who earned enough bonus points in defeat to creep from second to top.

With only four points between the top four it couldn’t be tighter – no wonder Randerson is playing down talk of a first Premier title for the club.

"It's a fascinating league table, but we're not getting carried away and will take each game as it comes,” said Randerson.

“If we're in touching distance in six or seven weeks, we can talk again.”

Opener Jackson Thompson stroked 83 towards Heathcoat’s total of 252 all out against Exeter.

Randerson bagged a third-ball duck, but Thompson more than made amends by getting to 150 for three with support from Reid Mawdsley (24) and Jack Dart.

Dart, on 35 when Thompson fell to Tom Pedel (2-42), went on to reach 76. He was eighth out.

A stand of 67 between Dart and Sam Smith (35) moved the middle order along again after a burst from Tom Lammonby (4-44) threatened to cause problems.

Exeter set off in hot pursuit with new England U19 captain Lammonby the only one of the top seven to miss out.

Ro Holman made 50, Alex Barrow had 35, Sean Morris made 29 and Jack Bovey 27.

The city side needed 32 to win from the last four overs with five wickets left and Harvey Sargent (22no) settled, but could not get over the line. 

Sargent finished on 41 not out but Exeter closed short on 245 for seven.

Jack Menheneott spun out Holman, Barrow and Lammonby en-route to his three for 39.

Malcolm Cloete and Christian Cabburn took two wickets each.

Said Randerson: “It was a great cricket match and it could have gone either way. 

“It was great we came out on top.”