Heathcoat have it all to do after defeat by Exeter | One game left to close 11-point distance to safety
HEATHCOAT’S Premier Division place is in dire jeopardy following a three-wicket defeat by Exeter on the County Ground.
A win over Cornwood at Knightshayes this Saturday is the only way Heathcoat are going to avoid going down with doomed North Devon.
Beating Cornwood might not be enough as Heathcoat have to get past Sandford, who are 11 points ahead. They have to lose to North Devon and come away with nine points of fewer to save Heathcoat.
Heathcoat made Exeter work every step of the way for their win, which was only sealed with three balls of the game remaining.
Aussie run-getter Jeremy Bedford was promoted from Heathcoat 2nd XI at the expense of match pro Malcolm Cloete and justified the call with 59 at the top of the. He was second out on 107, having put on 96 with Jamie Drew.
Drew went on to make 101 and was involved in a partnership worth 86 with Pete Randerson (44). Harry Southgate was unbeaten on 42 when time ran out with Heathcoat on 283 for eight.
Seb Linnitt (4-35) was Exeter’s leading wicket taker – and he was about to cause Heathcoat more problems after the break.
Linnitt went in first wicket down for Exeter and batted through to the end for an unbeaten 129. A stand of 66 with Oliver Gribble (50) set the tone and was added to by another of 87 with Alex Tipper (41).
Three to win from Drew’s (2-63) final over, with three wickets left and Linnitt still there, was a target that always favoured Exeter. They got it in singles.
