HEATHCOAT skipper Brad Barnes said the 64-run win over Exeter was just what he was looking for after the defeat by Bovey Tracey last time out.
Heathcoat’s total of 299 all out in the last of their 50 overs always looked impressive, although when Exeter were 168 for three in reply with 22 overs to go it was game on.
Jamie Drew got among the wickets in his second spell and his haul of five turned the game Heathcoat’s way. Wicketless in his first offering, he took five for 24 coming back.
“After a terrible batting display at Bovey, to turn it around in a week and make 300, are signs of growth and maturity,” said Barnes.
“They contributions from the top order in most of our games have differed week by week - that's very healthy in my opinion.”
Barnes is always looking for areas for improvement and one stuck out against Exeter.
if we want to become contenders in the title race this year or in years to come, we need to improve our fielding,” said Barnes.
Heathcoat’s hefty total was built on solid foundations laid by the top order.
Barnes was in and out for 18 – he and Toby Lochead gave Heathcoat a 42 run start in the first seven overs – then Lochead, Sam Smith and Will Thompson tucked on.
Lochead was second out for 58 having taken the score to 93 for two with Smith.
Smith (74) and Thompson (61) then added 118 for the third wicket as Heathcoat capitalised on Exeter’s deficiencies in the bowling department.
Exeter started without Ben Green, who was on Somerset duty, and lost former Blundell’s captain Dom Bess to injury before he had chance to bowl.
“Dom slipped on the synthetic pitch on the ground and pulled his groin,” said Exeter’s acting captain Alfonso Thomas.
“On a pitch that suited the spinners we were without one of best ones, and had to field a man short for more than 20 overs.
“It is a small ground that is hard to defend and we were a fielder short and bowler short, which didn’t help.”
After Thompson went, caught behind off Blake Reed, Smith followed soon after to Ollie Sale (2-59).
Drew chipped in with a cheeky 29 off 18 balls as Heathcoat added 30 in the last four overs.
Thomas with three for 37 off 10 overs was Exeter’s cheapest and most effective bowler.
Exeter went off in hot pursuit with openers Rob Holman (56) and Reed (38) making a 78-run dent in the deficit in the first 12 overs.
Reed and Bess (51) chipped away another 52 as Exeter reached 130 for one in the 21st over.
Spin slowed Exeter down with Barnes (4-36) and Jack Menheneott (1-51) arresting the chase.
Four wickets went for 36 runs as Exeter were reined in, them Sean Morris (36) and Ollie Sale (20) tried to lift things.
Enter Drew to stop Exeter in their tracks. He finished with five for 54 as the city side lost their last four men for 24 runs.
Thomas said Heathcoat were better equipped to win the game thanks to their spinners, but wondered how badly Bess was missed.
“I think had Dom bowled we would not have been chasing 300, but something around 250, which is a different proposition,” said Thomas
“Batting against the seamers was much easier than facing the spinners, and Heathcoat’s spinners bowled well.”
