TORQUAY made it two wins in as many starts and no dropped points yet when they won by 72 runs at Heathcoat.

Openers Reid Mawdsley and Mitch Pugh and skipper Justin Yau both hit half centuries as Torquay posted 255 for six in their 50 overs.

Spinners Matt Petherbridge and Sach Galenhage took three wickets each as Heathcoat stumbled on the chase, slipping from 105 for two to 145 for six and on to 183 all out.

Sam Smith and Brad Barnes were both in the runs for Heathcoat, but when they went the home side’s prospects faded.

It’s early days yet, but Torquay are back where they were most of last season at the top of the tree, two points clear of North Devon and three ahead of Exeter.

For Torquay skipper Justin Yau it was a comprehensive performance with contributions from almost every player.

“We're playing well as a unit and proving to be difficult to beat, which are good traits,” said Yau.

“It was a good test and a very good game of cricket.

“When Smith and Barnes were batting well it could have gone either way, but we got wickets at the right times to stifle the chase.”

A 94-run stand between Pugh (52) Mawdsley (73) got Torquay to 94 for one.

Yau (57) and Mawdsley (pictured) took the score up to 165 for two.

Mawdsley fell to Jamie Drew, but Yau kept going with support from Galhenage George Allen and Joe Thompson to reach 255.

“It was so pleasing to see Reid and Mitch again play so well,” said Yau.

“They complement one another brilliantly and they are going to score a lot of runs this year.

“It was nice to contribute some runs personally and chip ins all the way through got us to a decent score. “

Torquay may have been a bit apprehensive as Smith (63), Dylan Penberthy (23) and Barnes (51) took the total to 105 for two.

Shifting Smith was crucial and Galhenage did that by trapping him lbw.

Barnes batted on, but at the other end wickets fell regularly to left-arm spinner Petherbridge (3-34).

Once Barnes was eighth out to Pugh (2-31), it didn’t take long to polish off the stragglers.

Said Yau: “We bowled tightly which made it difficult for them to score freely.

“Peths and Sach bowled brilliantly and Watko changed the game getting Penberthy and Pete Randerson out in the same over.”

Yau also had some words of encouragement for Heathcoat, who have played two and lost them both.

“Heathcoat will win plenty of games this year- they have match winners throughout their side,” said Yau.

“We were incredibly impressed by their young gun James Onley-Gregso, who has a big future ahead of him.

“He bowled really well for a young lad and it would be interesting to see his development as the year passes.”

Heathcoat skipper Barnes said the team’s batsmen have to take some responsibility for the defeat.

Said Barnes: “We bowled well against a good batting side but our own batting let us down.

“The guys have to start taking responsibility for their actions and the manner or their dismissals.

“Do that and we may grow as a team.”