Skipper's knock guides Heathcoat to big win in survival fight | 'With other results going our way, it was a big win' – Penberthy-Hutchings

HEATHCOAT’S Premier Division survival prospects were boosted by a six-wicket win over Sandford in the mid-Devon derby at Knightshayes.

Victory moved Heathcoat out of the Premier Division top two, where they have been replaced by a Sidmouth side that lost to Exeter.

Only two points separate Heathcoat (160pts) and Sidmouth (158) in the scrap to avoid going down with doomed North Devon. And with 60 points still to play for, that could change in a hurry.

The same rule of thumb applies to Sandford, who are only 11 points clear of the relegation places after their ninth defeat of the season. They play Sidmouth on the second-to-last Saturday of the season, which has 40-pointer written all over it from this distance.

Adam Small hit a season’s best of 90 for Sandford in their total of 213 for nine. Next best was James Theedom (44), which does not leave much from the rest.

Joe Hancock (3-34) led Heathcoat’s bowling effort, backed up by a pair of two-for-30 return from Finn Stoneman and Jamie Drew.

A skipper’s knock of 82 not out from Dylan Penberthy-Hutchings had Heathcoat home and dry with nearly eight overs to go.

Penberthy-Hutchings and Liam Lewis (39) put on 63, which left the captain and Peter Randerson (45) to knock off another 82.

Said Penberthy-Hutchings: “With other results going our way, it was a big win

“ Our energy in the field was really good and something we need to keep for the next three games.

“The bowlers did really well to restrict Sandford to 213. Then Liam and Pete showed their class on the chase.

“On to the next one!”