BRADNINCH moved out of the bottom two for the first time in a while with the points earned from their abandonment against Heathcoat.
Tendai Maruma (44), Charlie Walker (38) and Tim Piper (32) were the main run getters in a total of 211 for seven that earned four points.
Those points, plus a bowling point and six for the abandonment, took Bradninch ahead of Hatherleigh and out of the relegation places.
“We batted well in the conditions, setting it up with wickets in hand and then everyone chipped in nicely to get us up to an above-par total,” said Ninch skipper Tim Piper.
Heathcoat were 27 for two when the heavens opened. Their target was 138 to win in 20 overs.
Opposing skippers Piper and Heathcoat’s Peter Randerson had differing views of how the game panned out.
“Beaten by the weather,” was the verdict from Heathcoat captain Randerson.
“Brandinch celebrated when it got rained off – it was embarrassing and desperate.”
Piper was quick to fire back, saying: “We never wanted the game rained off and were trying to get the game on if anything.
“We had them 27-2 on a very tough batting wicket with no dangerous batsmen left, so were confident we would have won from there.
“When we were finally asked to leave the field for the last time, it was their batsmen pushing for it and we wanted to stay on as we had done all day.
“As for celebrating after the game, we scored 11 points against top of the table and they only got nine.
“I would say that it cause for celebration as we always do when we win a game of cricket.
“I would say the only embarrassing part of the day was Randerson getting bounced out by Ross Acton.”
Bradninch have a toughie this Saturday as they are at home to new leaders Sidmouth.
Heathcoat are away to Bovey Tracey where they will be aiming to do something about the 10-point gap between them in third and Sidmouth, who ousted them from top spot by beating Hatherleigh.
