PAIGNTON captain Harry Ward knew exactly who was at the front of the queue for pats on the back after the four-wicket win over Heathcoat on Queen’s Park.
Three wickets each for Ayabuela Gqamana (3-32) and George Woodcock (3-32), plus a miserly spell from Rory Medlock (2-16 off 10) helped limit Heathcoat to 185 all out.
Lots of batters got in and set – Pete Randerson (32) and James Onley-Gregson (32) going the furthest – but a stand of 54 between Randerson and Onley-Gregson was as good as it got.
“Heathcoat came out strongly in the first 10 overs, but Aya and Charlie Ward bowled with discipline, stuck to their plans, and turned things around,” said Ward.
“George then bowled brilliantly, taking out their top order, followed by excellent spells from Rory, Sam Wodcock and Steve George to keep Heathcoat below 200.”
Paignton were wobbling at 35 for four, after a going over from Joe Hancock (2-51) and Malcolm Cloete, when Ollie Woodcock wandered out to join former Devon captain Neil Hancock in the middle.
Hancock (59) and Woodcock (54) had time on their side and wore down the Heathcoat bowling by taking few chances.
By the time Cloete (4-31) broke Hancock and Woodcock’s stand of 133 for the fifth wicket, the game was in the bag as far as Paignton were concerned.
“Heathcoat’s opening bowlers started well and had us at 35 for four but Ollie and Hanks batted superbly, putting on a match-winning partnership to see us home,” said Ward.
Dylan Penberthy-Hutchings, the Heathcoat captain, wants to see more application from the batters in the side after this defeat.
“We spoke all week about the top five taking more responsibility – and we didn't do that,” said the captain.
“Pete Randerson got a good ball, I should have done better with mine – and the other three were very poor dismissals.
“James Gregson showed us all how to apply ourselves, and we need to learn from how he batted.
“Malcolm and Joe Hancock were class once again with the ball. At 35 for four the game was ours for the taking, but we were very poor from then on in.
“We have lots of learnings to take into Sidmouth this Saturday.”
