Nathan Gilchrist - back to strengthen Exeter's side against Paignton<br>credit: Geoff Hunt

HEATHCOAT can consider themselves Premier champions in waiting ahead of the home game against Bovey Tracey tomorrow.

One point from the last two games – that’s two wickets taken or 50 runs scored – will confirm Heathcoat as champions with two games to go.

Paignton can’t win enough games now to get past Heathcoat, who have three more wins already.

And as Paignton have effectively conceded the title anyway, it appears to be all over bar the supping of the bubbly.

Jackson Thompson, Heathcoat’s captain, said: “For us, its a matter of putting in a performance and aim for maximum points. 

“We don't want to take foot off the gas but maximise our efforts in finishing well this season.

“Bovey are a good team and seem determined after beating Paignton last week.

“Looking forward to a good game on a sunny day at Heathcoat.”

Callum French is away so Thomas Frankpitt is back in.

Bovey’s unexpected win at Paignton last Saturday did Heathcoat a huge favour and themselves some good as well in the fight to stay up.

The gap between Bovey and North Devon in the second relegation place is 17 points, which will take some clawing back by the Sandhills side in the last two games.

Bovey have the odds stacked against them tomorrow, as skipper Toby Codd readily accepts.

“We are five first-team players short for this weekend, however we will be going to Heathcoat with some young and exciting players with the hope of making it a tough game and turning them over,” said Codd.

“We know we are far from safe so will be scrapping for every point.”

Bovey scrapped well enough to win by nine runs at Paignton, a result that rankles with their captain George Benton, who is looking for an improvement against visiting Exeter.

“We need to improve and show why we are second in the league,” said Benton. 

“Players have individual goals and as a team we are still aiming to finish second.

“The team is unchanged from last week and I am hoping we can perform a lot better and kill the game off.”

Mid-table Exeter lost to Exmouth last time out and skipper Tom Pedel knows they are in for another testing afternoon.

“Paignton are a strong side, but Nathan Gilchrist (Somerset 2nd XI) returns for us with the new ball which will add some extra teeth to our attack and bolster our batting,” said Pedel.

At the bottom of the table the pressure is on Torquay to pull off a win over Exmouth or face the fact they are likely to go down.

Torquay are already 14 points adrift of safety that leaves no margin for error now. 

A last day date with second-bottom North Devon looms, only offers a way out if Torquay win tomorrow. If Sandford beat Sidmouth, Torquay could be down by Saturday evening.

Exmouth have no such worries and go into the game in a relaxed frame of mind.

“I feel we are playing a positive style of cricket at the moment and intend to continue this for the rest of the season,” said skipper Andrew Buzza.

“I honestly don't care who we play. If we perform to our ability we will push any team. 

“Torquay will be fighting for every point available so I expect a 'loud' competitive game at the Rec.”

Batter Miles Lenygon and all-rounder Ben Ellis are back in the Exmouth side this week.

Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Plymouth host North Devon.

All eyes will be on Plymouth’s Pakistani run machine Faizan Riaz, who will be gunning for his third successive Premier ton.

Riaz has scored seven tons and two 50s this season in a total of 1,154 league runs – a record for the 18-game season that replaced the old 22-game programme dropped in 1999.

In three seasons at Mount Wise Riaz has scored 16 hundreds and 11 50s in 49 innings. His run total is 3,186 at an average of 83.84. 

Richard West is out for the rest of the season - lured away by the counter attraction of playing rugby - but paceman Dan Goodey is available and slots straight in.

"We know North Devon will be battling to stay in the league so we are expecting a tough game, " said skipper Jon Varcoe.

"We were poor against them earlier in the season so will be looking to put that right on Saturday."