CALLUM French hit a maiden century to help Exmouth towards another Duckworth-Lewis win, this time over Heathcoat.

Exmouth won at Plymouth using Duckworth-Lewis on the first day of the season when they were on the chase.

The win at Knightshayes came after Exmouth reached 345 for five – French getting to 116 off 115 balls – with Heathcoat 219 for four when the rain came 16 overs out.

Heathcoat skipper Brad Barnes had made a rapid 86 and usefu7l knocks from Dylan Penberthy (44) and Jack Dart (35) meant Heathcoat were not far behind the clock.

Duckworth-Lewis gave Exmouth the game by 16 runs, which is a tiny margin in the context of a game that produced more than 500 runs.

Richard Baggs, who made 41 in Exmouth’s total, said the game was still in the balance when it was interrupted.

“Heathcoat went for it from ball one and it might have been very close,” said Baggs.

“On a very good wicket, our bowling was a bit wayward and we lacked control.

“But it was very flat and they batted nicely.”

Barnes said Heathcoat made life hard for themselves in the field, but were making amends when the game was halted.

“We haven't started any game well this season – our bowling and fielding was very poor -and are always playing catch-up,” said Barnes.

“Chasing nearly seven an over from ball one was always going to be a tough ask, but we made a good fist of it until the rain came.”

Sandy Allen (39) and David Lye (42) got Exmouth off to an 84-run start, only to fall 12 runs apart.

French, who transferred in from North Devon during the winter, and dangerman Dan Pyle added 89 for the third wicket with Pyle making 36.

Bob Dawson replaced Pyle at 185 for three and contributed 40 to a stand of 91 with French, who was closing fast on his ton.

Dawson went when French was two runs short of reaching three figures – and he wasn’t going to let it get away.

The ton came up during a rapid stand of 45 with Baggs put on in just five overs.

“Callum played beautifully and the rest of us chipped in,” said Baggs.

“It was very good to see all the batters in form.”

Jack Menheneott (2-47) was the only Heathcoat bowler to go for below five an over.

Heathcoat openers Barnes and Penberthy made a 90-run dent in the deficit, then Pete Randerson (21) helped wipe off another 64.

There was a brief stumble as 154 for one became 161 for three, but Jack Dart (35no) and Lee Dixon (20) kept Heathcoat in the frame right up to the weather break.