Hatherleigh looking to topple Heathcoat from Premier summit

Recalled  - Sidmouth

PREMIER leaders Heathcoat are a little wary going into their game away to relegation worriers Hatherleigh.

Although 67 points and eight places divide the sides, Hatherleigh have surprised a few sides this season.

Peter Randerson, the Heathcoat skipper, doesn’t want to become one of them.

“Hatherleigh are a good team and we will have to be at our best to win,” said Randerson.

“Looking forward to another tough game.”

Heathcoat are at effective full strength with Dylan Penberthy replacing Sam Smith in a batter for batter swap.

“We're also boosted by James Onley-Gregson being fit and able to bowl for us again, which is fantastic news,” said Randerson.

It gets no easier for Hatherleigh this Saturday as they are at home to leaders Heathcoat.

Hatherleigh still have 14 points between them and Bradninch in the second relegation place, although that could chance if the Ninch beat Sandford in the basement clash this Saturday.

Heathcoat may be top of the table, but Hatherleigh skipper Mark Lake has them on his hit list.

“I have targeted our home games this season and this week end will be no different.

“We need to put last week’s performance behind us.

Heathcoat are flying at the moment and I know how difficult the task will be to win on Saturday.

“I am looking for a strong team performance and to see where it takes us?”

All-rounder Rob Fishleigh is away and batter Leahy drops down to the 2nd XI. Rob Cockwill and Simon Gillespie come in.

Bradninch and Sandford meet in a basement battle at Kensham Park with the pressure piling up on both of them.

Sandford are bottom, 24 points adrift, and Bradnich a place and nine points ahead of them.

If things stay where they are, both sides are going down in September.

Gary Chappell, the Bradninch captain, summed it up accurately when he said:

“It's a game that both sides need to win and both sides think they can win,” said Chappell.

“It'll be an uphill task to avoid relegation for the losing side so obviously a massive game.”

Richard Foan, Chappell’s opposite number, is clearly reading from the same script.

“It is a massive game for us as we have been outplayed for the last three weeks,” said Foan.

“We have a run of games now where we can pick up some points.

“If we play to our potential and play as a team we can get the win.”

Bradninch bring back Eliot Acton for Dan Hardy. Seamer Jamie Palmer replaces Charlie Fitzroy in the Sandford side.

Matt Cooke is recalled to Sidmouth’s first team for the game against fast-improving Plymouth.

Cooke wasn’t surprised to find himself in the 2nd XI last Saturday after a run of low scores.  A knock of 61 and four Whimple wickets for 23 runs earned an immediate recall for the absent Henry Gater.

Spinner Fahad Ali is back from holiday for Plymouth, who are otherwise unchanged.

Four wins on the spin have lifted Plymouth to fifth in the table and within 30 points of leaders Heathcoat.

Skipper Jon Varcoe wants to keep the run going.

“We are going into every game believing we can win it,” said Varcoe.

“We are definitely looking up the table and not down.”

Elsewhere in the Premier Division, Exmouth entertain North Devon looking to get back on track after a defeat by Heathcoat.

Bovey Tracey make the short trip to Exeter, who dropped down to third after they lost at Plymouth.

Exeter may have been bowled out for 119 at Plymouth, but Bovey skipper Toby Codd has huge respect for a top three of Alex Barrow (ex-Somerset and Devon), Ben Green (Somerset, Devon and England U19s) and Rob Holman (ex-Devon and MCC).

“We're expecting a tough game at Exeter and know where their quality lies,” said Codd.

“All-rounder and former Devon skipper Chris Bradley is unavailable so Brad Causey comes in.

“Brad has done superbly whenever called upon and is one of the best fielders at the club,” said Codd.