HEATHCOAT stay out in front at the top of the Tolchards DCL Premier Division after beating Bovey Tracey by five wickets.

Malcolm Cloete (4-14) demolished Bovey’s top order on his own then Matt Hague (3-16) and Jack Menheneott (2-2) reduced the rest of the batting to rubble.

Lewis Hammett, the Bovey Tracey captain, made 20 and Pete Bradley reached 10. No one else got past seven and six batters did not manage a run between them!

Knocking off the runs was not without a few problems for Heathcoat, who were 24 for four after an early going over from Seb Ansley (3-16). Simon Sobczak shored up one end for11 not out while Rob Pryke (20no) whittled away the rest 22 yards away.

Heathcoat are the only unbeaten team in the Premier Division and have a six-point lead over Cornwood at the summit.

Pete Randerson, the Heathcoat captain, said it wasn’t a particularly pretty game but he was content to win ugly if that was necessary.

Randerson added: “We were exemplary with the ball and left nothing out there in the field.

“We didn't start well but Simon Sobczak was solid again and Rob Pryke came in and took the game away from them.”

Lewis Hammett, the losing captain, said: “We didn't give ourselves a chance with 58 on the board.

“A bit of application to drag us up to 100-120 would have made a real game of it.

“It was a tough pitch and Heathcoat have a good attack for it. 

“We were in the game until Pryke chanced his arm and came off.

“I felt for our bowlers, who did well and made Heathcoat sweat, especially Seb Ansley, who bowled well with pace and swing to get three wickets.”