Dan Wolf - runs at the top for Paignton

HEATHCOAT were brought down to earth with a bump by a six-wicket defeat at Paignton.

Jackson Thompson’s side shot straight to the top of the Premier Division table on day one after beating Torquay by a whopping 163 runs.

Paignton, promoted into the Premier Division with Torquay this season, proved an altogether different proposition.

George Benton (2-22) struck early, as did Stephen George (2-35) as Heathcoat dipped to 53 for four.

Thompson (19) and Peter Randerson (43) put on 54 to get the innings going before Cole Harford (2-38) split them up.

Malcolm Clote (21) and Jamie Drew (25) chipped in 44 down the order as Heathcoat mustered 182 all out. Dan Wolf (2-6) killed off the resistance.

Wolf (35) and Harry Ward (65) gave Paignton a 65-run start the Richard Ashworth (37) added another 61 with surviving opener Ward.

By the time Cloete (2-33) bowled Ward the target was 30 to win and it was game over.

Paignton are the new leaders in the division with Heathcoat now down to sixth.

Paignton got off the mark with a battling one-wicket win over Plymouth and skipper Benton described the victory over Heathcoat as every bit as good.

Benton added: “We've got a real team spirit about us, which is keeping us focused throughout games. 

“There's still 16 games to go, so we aren't getting carried away, but two wins is a great platform to build from.”

Heathcoat skipper Thompson had no complaints about the outcome.

“Paignton were better than us on the day,” said Thompson.

“They bowled strong lengths and hardly bowled any loose balls. 

“A couple of decisions did go against us at both ends of our batting innings and so another 30-odd runs would have been very interesting.

“We expected Paignton to be competitive and they were more than that.”

Thompson said an early defeat is a setback but not a disaster.

“We don't need to panic at all and but keep believing in our skills and ability  and  work on applying ourselves when  we bat and bowl,” said Thompson.

“It sounds like a cliché but it rings true. This is a good jolt for us and keeps us honest in our quest this season.”

Heathcoat are at home to North Devon this Saturday. They will have Jack Dart back in the early order but lose all-rounder Callum French and keeper-batter Pete Randerson.