HEATHCOAT skipper Brad Barnes helped himself to a century and some as his side got off the mark in the Premier Division with a 51-run win a Sidmouth.

Heathcoat hadn’t lived up to Barnes’ expectations of them in their first three games – one was rained off – but winning at Sidmouth may prove a turning point.

“I was very pleased with they way we played and, hopefully, this has kickstarted our season for better things to come,” said Barnes.

Barnes opened up with Dylan Penberthy and their stand of 102 laid the foundations for a Heathcoat tally of 305 for nine.

Penberthy went for 36 and Pete Randerson followed soon afterwards on his first appearance against Sidmouth since leaving the club during the winter.

Jack Dart (35) was Barnes’ running mate in a stand of 78 for the third wicket that took Heathcoat past 200.

Barnes kept going with Sam Smith for company as the total reached 272 for five in the 44th over.

Barnes was eventually dismissed for 141 off 131 scored in 175 minutes and including 20 fours and two sixes.

Heathcoat threw the bat in the last five overs, which meant some easy wickets to be picked off by Josh Bess (4-48) and Kyle Brockley (2-73).

Six an over from the start was always going to be a tall order for Sidmouth – and well before half way the asking rate had climbed to eight.

Former Heathcoat captain Liam Lewis (42) and Josh Bess (36) were the main run scorers as Sidmouth reached 107 for twio,

Smith (3-41) and Barnes (3-51) were largely responsible for a mini collapse to 110 for five.

Zak Bess with 61 off 49 balls and Will Murray (34) got Sidmouth going again after a period in the doldrums.

The run chase had been abandoned by then, but batting points were available and with tail-ender Brockley (18) chipping in Sidmouth got to 254 all out and a full house of five.

For Barnes it was the performance he has craved for a while.

“We batted well with good foundations up front, with a bit of luck I must add,” he said.

“Everyone stuck to their roles and our fielding and bowling was a lot more consistent than in weeks gone by.”

Luke Bess, the Sidmouth captain, had no complaints about the outcome.

“Heathcoat outplayed us in all facets and deserved the win,” said Bess.

“We missed four or five chances, fielded poorly in general and gave them nearly 40 extras.”