HEATHCOAT 2nd XI took a massive step towards winning promotion from the C Division East when they defeated rivals Sidmouth 2nd XI by 39 runs.
The first-against-second clash came a bit too early to be classed as a promotion decider as there are still five games to go.
Leaders Heathcoat are now 18 points clear of Sidmouth and Exmouth, who share second place. The arithmetic is they would need to lose twice now for either chaser to catch them.
Heathcoat play Exmouth 2nd XI this Saturday, which is a chance to knock them out of the running.
Todd Barrett (70) and Tom Frankpitt (82) gave Heathcoat early impetus with a stand of 161 for the second wicket. Dylan Penberthy, who whacked 70 off 45 balls, and James Onley-Gregson (32) added 101 unbroken in a total of 301 for five.
Opener Isaac Thomas played the anchorman role for Sidmouth with 78 and batted through until he was seventh out at 194. Sidmouth needed a bit more than Tom Wainwright’s 28 and George House’s 33 to get closer than 262 for nine.
Joe Hancock (3-38) and Simon Sobczak (2-25) were Heathcoat’s most effective bowlers.
Winning Heathcoat captain Matt Hague said: “A fantastic partnership between Tom Frankpitt and Todd Barrett set us off with a big platform
“For Dylan and James to score 101 off the last seven overs was exceptional.”
On the bowling performance, Hague said: “Joe Hancock bowled a fast and quality first spell and once we got Anthony Griffiths out we felt we were in.
“We look forward to another big one at Exmouth Saturday.”
Sidmouth skipper Griffiths said it was hard to see how his side could get past Heathcoat in the games left.
Said Griffiths: “Heathcoat are streets ahead of anyone else in our division and the best side we have played by far.
“For us to catch them we have to win all our remaining games, which is possible, but I can’t see them losing twice.”
BRAUNTON made it three wins in a row in the C Division East when they defeated Whimple by 18 runs at Kelsey.
It’s a winning run that has lifted Braunton 52 points clear of the third relegation place and within 24 points of the top three.
Victory in this Saturday’s derby date with Barnstaple & Pilton at Taw Meadow should be sufficient to ensure Braunton’s survival, although they have probably done enough already.
Opener Ben Whitty hit 50 opening up and his stand of 91 with Alfie Huxtable (37) got Braunton up and running. Callum Mitchell chipped in 40 to Braunton’s all-out total of 218.
There were three wickets each for Lee Nessling (3-44) and Sam Jefferson (3-58) in the Whimple bowling stats.
Whimple opener Nathan Kidd (83) was involved in stands worth 181 before he was sixth out to Braunton skipper Dan Brierley – a key wicket in the outcome of the match.
Jefferson had already gone for 27 and Steve Kidd was next out for 20 as Whimple crumbled.
Jon Baglow (4-41) did most of the damage as Whimple’s last five wickets fell for 19 runs in the way to 200 all out.
Ben Silk, the Whimple captain, said: “Take nothing away from Braunton, but we were missing six first team players.
“We thought we were looking down the barrel when they were 159 for one with 25 overs left, but showed great character as we only had five bowlers and bowled 35 wides!.
“We were always slightly behind the rate, Nathan batted really well and we will take the 10 points.”
BARNSTAPLE & Pilton were 63-run losers in the basement clash with Shobrooke Park.
Opener Jareer Shikrani (84) was the anchorman for Shobrooke. After putting on 93 with Dan Robbins (42) he batted on until 206 for six in a final total of 246 for eight.
Archie Popham (3-24) and George McEndoo (2-41) were the leading wicket takers for Barnstaple & Pilton.
Barum, fast approaching the point of no return 48 points adrift at the bottom, were all out for 183 in the last of their 45 overs.
Opener McEndoo batted through for an unbeaten 101 off 131 balls. Nest best was Rob Wilkins (16).
Dave Manning (3-29) and Jon James (2-34) took the bowling pats on the back from Shobrooke’s new skipper Ben Trenaman.
ALPHINGTON still have work to do to get out of the C East bottom three after going down by seven runs to Exmouth 2nd XI.
Exmouth’s middle order got them up to 180 all out with Matt Armstrong (24), Oliver Pugsley (38) and James Grant (30) all among the runs.
Kam Singh (2-26) and Andy Mills (2-29) worked hard for their wickets. Will Pring (3-29 off 3.2) bowled at the end.
Alphington lost their top three for 23 – Matt Tarry (2-20) largely to blame – then fought back with through Ian McDonald (25), Jack Mills (22) and Tom Weeks (41).
Greg Marks (4-39) took care of the middle order, but Weeks and Singh (17) got Alphington up to 160 for eight. When the later went to Sean Day (2-20) it was downhill all the way to 173 all out.
Alphington trail Shobrooke Park by 11 points in the battle to stay up. Exmouth are up to joint second with Sidmouth 2nd XI.
EXETER’S hopes of dodging the drop from the C Division East suffered a setback when they lost by 17 runs to Ottery St Mary.
Opener Ollie West took his tally for the summer to 654 league runs with a top score of 72 in Ottery’s 216 for nine. Harsha Liyanage (45) and Joe Hinkus (26) both contributed.
Exeter’s most respectable bowling figures were owned by Mike Wilkinson (3-26) and Simon Glenn, who had one for 29 off nine overs.
Exeter made life hard for themselves by slumping to 33 for four in reply. Sean Langford (59) and Tor Ziegler-Evans (36) got them back in the game with a stand of 95 for the sixth wicket.
Jody Clements (3-34) broke the stand by dismissing Langford, which left Ziegler-Evans and the bottom four to get Exeter over the line.
Ziegler-Evans was ninth out on 184 and Exeter were all out for 199.
Will Harrison, the Ottery captain, said: “Great to bounce back after last week’s disappointment and we showed that we can hold our nerve under a bit of pressure.”
Defeat leaves Exeter one off the bottom, 44 points behind Shobrooke Park, the side they have to get past to reach safety.
