HEATHCOAT 2ndXI took another step towards promotion from the C Division East when they defeated Exmouth 2ndXI by seven wickets.
It was Heathcoat’s tenth win on the spin and puts them 15 points clear of second-placed Sidmouth 2ndXI and 30 in front of Exmouth 2ndXI.
In a division with just one promotion place this season, and with 80 points to play for, Heathcoat are not over the line yet.
But if they beat mid-table Whimple this Saturday it is hard to see how Sidmouth or Exmouth could catch them.
Exmouth got to 145 for four with Richard Baggs (31), Oliver Pugsley (35) and Sean Day (34) all chipping in.
Heathcoat captain Matt Hague brought Todd Barrett into the attack and he took six-wickets for 14 runs scored in 4.2 overs as Exmouth collapsed to 171 all out.
Heathcoat openers Toby Lochead (25) and Barrett (28) took the reply to 62 without loss – then both fell in successive overs.
When Henry Frankpitt trudged off to Matt Edworthy (2-41) Heathcoat were 73 for three.
Dylan Penberthy (62no) and Simon Sobczak (37no) put on 102 unbroken as Heathcoat sped to victory in the 24thover.
Matt Hague, the Heathcoat captain, said the hard work was done with the ball.
“We did well to contain Exmouth to 171, Todd bowling superbly for his six wickets,” said Hague.
“There was a mini blip during the run chase, but Dylan's innings showed his class and I was glad he came out of retirement.
“Sobczack and Penberthy batted elegantly to take us over the line.
“Four to go, it's all in our hands.”
SHOBROOKE Park moved further away from the C East danger area when they defeated Whimple by six wickets.
Victory hoisted Shobrooke 28 points clear of Alphington in the third relegation slot with four games to go.
If Shobrooke beat Alphington this Saturday they can probably look forward to C Division East cricket again next season.
Whimple were all out for 208 in the 37thof their 45 overs – and did well to get that far after slumping to 53 for five. Jareer Shikrani (4-31) had three of the wickets to fall.
Sam Jefferson went in at fifth wicket down and batted on for an unbeaten 70. His stand of 59 with Oli Wellesley (31) gave Whimple a fighting chance.
Dan Robbins (3-64) got a couple of late wickets.
Shobrooke got off to a 91-run start thanks to openers Robbins (50) and Shikrani (56).
Cameron Kidd (2-37) picked up a couple of wickets for Whimple, but Jon James (38no) and veteran Chris Ford (22no) saw it through with an unbroken stand of 55.
RORY Thomas showed what he thought of being dropped from Sidmouth’s 1stXI by lashing 183 for the 2ndXI in a runaway win over lowly Exeter 2ndXI.
Thomas – 18 fours, 10 sixes – shared stands of 59 with Nick Mansfield, 106 with Tom Moore (35), 74 with skipper Anthony Griffiths (34) and 58 with Ed Hurley in a hefty total of 306 for four. It was a big improvement on his first-ball dismissal the week before.
Exeter were 172 for nine when the overs ran out at Newton Poppleford Opener Ben Abrahams and spin bowler Naj Choudhary were joint top scorers with 33.
Bryon Knowles (3-48) and Dylan Hurst (2-58) were the main wicket takers.
Sidmouth stay second. Exeter are 57 points adrift of safety in the drop zone.
BRAUNTON defeated Barnstaple & Pilton by seven wickets in a derby clash slimmed down to 35 overs each due to rain.
Brady Saunders hit a top score of 58 for B&P in their total of 144 all out. Opener George McEndoo made 28 and Rob Wilkins 23.
Braunton’s Steve Moore bagged three wickets for 31 runs for his current club against the one he captained at the start of the season.
Mike Brown and Callum Mitchell had two wickets each.
Braunton lost wickets at 22, 94 and 100 on their way to a fourth successive victory.
Jack Brazier, the former Filleigh batsman, hit 37 and was supported by Jack Whittaker (24) and Mitchell (29no) on the chase.
McEndoo (3-18) was the pick of the B&P bowlers.
Braunton are now up to fifth in the C East table. Barnstaple & Pilton are rock bottom and will be consigned to relegation if they lose to fellow strugglers Exeter this Saturday.
OTTERY St Mary went a long-way towards banishing their slim fears of relegation with a 10-wicket win at Alphington.
Alphington, long-time tenants of the third relegation place, needed a win to move closer to safety.
Ottery would have slipped into relegation danger had they lost, but the 20-3 points split in their favour all but made them safe.
Alphington (138pts) might catch Shobrooke Park (166) to reach safety, but Ottery (189) are as good as over the horizon.
Oliver West scythed through the Alphington middle and lower order on his way to figures of six for 24 as the home side were skittled for 126. Ian MacDonald (31) and Nick Halse (25) had the only scores of note.
West (58no) and Alex Clements (59no) had Ottery home and hosed in 19.5 overs.
