Cabburn and Cloete send North Devon sliding to defeat against Heathcoat + Heathcoat see off Craig Overton to chase down 101 to win

Sandy Allen - runs for Exmouth in the narrow win over Sandford

HEATHCOAT stay hard on the heels of the leaders after their eight-wicket win over visiting North Devon.

Ed Yeo made 30 and Adrian Isherwood 20, but no one else got further than 12 in North Devon’s total of 100 all out.

Christian Cabburn had four North Devon wickets for 17 runs and there were three more for Malcolm Cloete, including Somerset and England’s Craig Overton.

Overton took the new ball when Heathcoat batted and his one for 15 off eight overs stopped them getting a start.

Jackson Thompson (51) and Reid Mawdsley (36no) batted with circumspection for a stand of 80 that saw Heathcoat home with more than half their 50 overs to come.

Winning skipper Peter Randerson said: “Our top, experienced players took charge of the game and we played some great cricket.

“We talked a lot beforehand about the opportunity to show how good we can be and did exactly that.”

Tom Popham, who skippered North Devon in the absence of Matt Westaway, said his side could have very few grumbles about the outcome.

“It was a good toss to win and Heathcoat fully capitalised by consistently bowling in good areas,” said Popham.

“A couple of false shots from our batsman, and a couple of ‘iffy’ decisions didn't help our cause. 

“Jackson Thompson batted very well, batted aggressively and took the game away from us. 

“We battled hard until the end and we go again against Sidmouth next.”

Heathcoat face Exeter at Knightshayes this weekend. 

BRADNINCH need to turn things round in a hurry to avoid getting stuck in the Premier drop spots after going down by six wickets to Exeter.

Kiwi Phil Mecredy (4-15) and Somerset’s Tom Lammonby (3-12) put the skids under Bradninch, who were hustled out for 95 in 27.3 overs.

Kalon Burns made 31 and Tendai Maruma scored 21 to help rescue Bradninch from seven for three. 

Once Lammonby broke the stand by dismissing Maruma, the visitors went into a nosedive.

Bradninch lost seven wickets for 21 runs as their innings ended in a hurry.

Alex Barrow (20) and Rob Holman (10) gave Exeter a 31-run start, however it wasn’t entirely plain sailing.

A three-wicket burst by Gary Chappell (3-37) turned 31 for none into 44 or three.

Lammonby (31no) lost Sean Morris on the way to knocking off the runs, but James Bovey (28no) had a bit more stickability.

The Ninch are one off the bottom of the table going into Saturday’s Maer Ground meeting with Exmouth.

Skipper Chappell said now is the time for Bradninch to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in.

“We didn't bat well enough,” said Chappell.

“We need to show more fight and character and compete a lot better. 

“Exeter bowled well on a tricky wicket, but we were poor and improvements need to be made.”

SANDFORD need a change of fortunes fast when they face Plymouth at Mount Wise on Saturday.

A five-run defeat by Exmouth last time out left Sandford rock bottom in the Premier Division with just one win so far.

Exmouth totted up 255 for nine in their 50 overs without any of their batsmen making a 50.

Sandy Allen (42) and Dan Pyle put on 73 for the second wicket after opener and captain Richard Baggs exited in the first over.

More contributions came from Bobby Dawson (25), Peter Turnbull (30) and Billy Rudolph.

Ryan Glass (3-47) topped the bowling standings. Pete Steer and Faisal Iqbal had two wickets each.

Sandford were in a strong position at 227 for six with former Devon left-hander Neil Bettis on 92. One run later Bettis got out and it became a scramble for the line after that.

Sandford reached the final over with last pair Jamie Palmer and Pete Steer in the middle and nine needed to win. They chalked off five, but with his third ball Ollie Dawe (3-42) had Palmer caught behind.

It was another case of nearly, but not quite for Sandford, who are making a bad habit of losing close encounters.

Sandford’s last three results have all been losses by small margins. Hatherleigh beat them by one wicket with two balls to spare, North Devon scraped an eight-run win and finally Exmouth held on by five runs.

Exmouth captain Richard Baggs said after two defeats it was a real morale booster to win a tight game.

“It was a cracking game and we did brilliantly to sneak it,” said Baggs.

“Actually, we didn't bat well and should have got 280-300.

“You need that against a side with someone in it like Neil Bettis, who  can get match-winning 100s, which he very nearly did.
“Credit to our lads who stuck in the whole way and some good fielding and catching got us home.

“We should gain some confidence now and have stopped the rot so really looking forward to the next game.”

Upbeat Sandford captain Richard Foan said: “It was a great effort on the run chase - Neil's innings was fantastic -and we did well to get close.

“Really we should have been chasing a lot more, but did well in the end to restrict them to 250. Ryan and Faisal did a good job with the ball. 

“We move on to Plymouth next and hope those fine margins go in our favour.”

Bess and Mgijima smash tons as Sidmouth cart Bovey's bowling around + Bovey fold after losing Kopparambil and Dalliston + 

Plymouth's Riaz caught on the boundary going for sixth six in same over + Hatherleigh powerless to stop city side's run chase