EXETER poured cold water on Heathcoat’s title celebrations when they defeated the Premier champions by 69 runs on the County Ground.

The Premier title was already in the bag before Heathcoat set off for Prince of Wales Road – and the trophy handover booked for noon on the ground.

Skipper Jackson Thompson collected the trophy from James Hunt on behalf of league sponsors Tolchards Drinks, then took his side out to field for the last time this season.

Somerset pair Ben Green and Tom Lammonby both made half-centuries in Exeter’s rain-reduced, 42-over total of 253 for nine.

Heathcoat were all out for 184 in reply, no one making more than Tom Frankpitt (47).

Thompson manned up after the game and there were no excuses in his comments.

“Saturday's result was appropriate in the sense Exeter played really well and we didn't really turn up for the game. 

“I guess the presentation in the morning and celebrations planned later played as distractions and we weren't good enough on the day.”

Green (60), Lammonby (74) and Josh Arendse (39) got Exeter up to 171 for one. After a brief stumble prompted by Christian Cabburn (3-41), Ed Middleton (38) got Exeter going again.

Heathcoat’s Malcolm Cloete took two more wickets in the match for a season’s total of 44 at 10.98 runs each.

“It was good to see Malcolm ending up as the highest wicket taker and he absolutely stood out from the rest all session,” said Thompson.

Callum French (35) and Liam Lewis (30) revived Heathcoat after a slow start. Frankpitt had the only other score of note as the innings tailed off.

Exeter’s Super veteran Mark Gribble – enjoying a new lease of life a month after his 50th birthday – picked off French and Frankpitt on his way to bowling figures of three for 26. Nathan Gilchrist, Middleton and Tuohey had two each.

Spinner Tuohey with 35 wickets was second in the Premier aggregates and seventh (16.63) in the averages among bowlers who took 10 or more wickets.

Heathcoat had never finished above third in the table before this season. Thompson is keen to continue the winning streak in 2020.

 “The idea is to be consistent with our performances each year so we hope this is a start of a long journey towards more success,” said Thompson.

 

Heathcoat’s championship-winning team. Back (left to right): Peter Randerson, Callum French, Lian Lewis, Jamie Drew, Dylan Penberthy, Jack Menheneott. Front: Christian Cabburn, Tom Frankpitt, Jackson Thompson with the winners’ trophy, Rob Holman and Malcolm Cloete