Heathcoat skip returns to find overseas back in South Africa and team in bottom two

Nick Gingell batting for Sidmouth - the keeper is Sandy Allen

HEATHCOAT skipper Peter Randerson returns after a two week break to find his team in a spot of trouble.

When Randerson last looked at a league table his side were sixth and 14 points clear of the drop spots.

Back-to-back defeats by Paignton and Sidmouth have dropped Heathcoat into the bottom two.

Another way of looking at the stats is Heathcoat have lost four of their last five games on the way down the table.

Heathcoat go to leaders Bovey Tracey this Saturday one off the bottom of the table and without the considerable services of Namibian fast bowler J J Smit.

Smit has gone home to the family farm to run the operation while his father is being treated for cancer. There is no news on whether he will return, or if Heathcoat will recruit a replacement.

Sidmouth are away to North Devon. County all-rounder Zak Bess is at a wedding and won’t be playing.

BOVEY Tracey will be aiming to bounce back from a 64-run defeat by North Devon – their first league loss of the season.

Bovey remain in a commanding position at the top – 23 points clear of Exmouth – as the teams behind them lost too.

Bovey skipper Peter Bradley said one defeat wasn’t critical, but addressing the weaknesses in the side is.

“We need to keep doing what we have been doing right, but also improve where we need to,” said Bradley.

“Occasionally we are not bowling to plan and batsman are still getting out when they get in - myself, the biggest culprit.

“We're top of the league. But if we are not improving, others will catch us up.”

Missing against Heathcoat are Andy Fairbairn and Chris Bradley.

Ash Causey, Jeremy Christophers, Tom Andrew and Dan Green come into contention.”

TORQUAY skipper Justin Yau is pleased to see Paignton riding high in the Premier table going into tomorrow’s derby clash at Queen's Park.

There was a time when Paignton and Torquay captains barely had a civil word to say to each other – most of the 1970s passed that way!

Famously, rival skippers Vaughan Hosking of Torquay and Paignton’s Terry Friend had a very public spat in the local press after a particularly acrimonious Devon Cup tie. The argument was about the quality of the match ball, which was in a state that would favour a particular bowler in one of the sides.

Yau still wants to beat Paignton tomorrow to pull Torquay further away from the relegation places. He won’t be too upset if Paignton finish high up the final table in their first season back in the Premier Division.

“I am not surprised at all by Paignton's start this year,” said Yau.

‘”You look at their squad and they have some very good cricketers in there and are young and hungry to be successful.

“Derby games don't come around often for us so we are looking forward to the battle ahead.

“It is good to see another Bay club thriving and it should be an excellent game of cricket.”

Richard Ashworth, the Paignton captain, described it as a ‘massive’ game ahad.

He added: ““Torquay have been playing some good cricket lately so I expect it to be a really competitive game.

 “We've shown what we can do this season with some good wins, but at times we've just been a bit inconsistent. Injuries to some key players hasn't helped.”

Torquay are on the up after back-to-back wins over Exeter and Plymouth.

“We have done really well in the last couple of weeks, gathering some much-needed momentum,” said Yau.

“We bowled and batted well against Plymouth and Exeter and hopefully we can carry it on against Paignton.”

Hampshire’s Ryan Stevenson made a guest appearance for his old club against Plymouth and marked it with a half-century. He is missing tomorrow and Kazi Szymanski comes in as an extra bowler.

“It was a real bonus seeing Ryan and hopefully he will be around for us again some time in the not too distant future,” said Yau.

Bowling all-rounder Rob Shergold is another addition to a lengthy Paignton injury list.

Young spinner Sam Woodcock, who has performed the hat-trick in a second team game this season, is called up for the first time.

NOTHING less than a win will do for Plymouth when they face Exmouth at Mount Wise on Saturday.

Sam Stein - changes on cards for game against ExmouthLast Saturday’s defeat at Torquay left the city side bottom of the table, 15 point adrift of safety.

Skipper Sam Stein didn’t mince his words about the importance of the game.

“We need to put in a good performance to show what we are made of,” said Stein.

“Looking to get back to winning ways and looking to do this at home.”

After four defeats in the last five games, it’s time for a change or two.

“We have now got a bit of competition for places again which is brilliant,” said Stein.

“Joe Hagan-Burt, my brother Ben, Dave Burke and Tom Hughes have now returned which has made us stronger. Jon Kerridge and Fahad Ali are back into the side.

“A few other very good players are now currently in the 2nd XI.”

Exmouth are still second in the table despite losing by three runs to Exeter last time out.

The gap between Exmouth and leaders Bovey is 23 points – more than wide enough for Baggs.

“It is a must win game to stay in touch,” said Baggs.

“Been a very good pitch down there last couple years so hopefully that will be the same.”

Newly wed Chris Metters comes into the side for the unavailable Jon Evernett.

BRADNINCH have included Charlie Walker in their side for the date with Exeter.

Walker was with Bradninch in 2015 but has been playing WEPL cricket with Clevedon since.

Bradninch have some numbers problems at the moment so Walker’s reappearance is timely.

Seamer Matt Parker misses next two due to other commitments. Ross Acton is at a stag do this weekend and Mark Ashplant looks set to join Clyst Hydon in search of regular 1st XI batting time.

Walker comes in, Andy Buzza returns and Chris Acton along with Thom Bunker will step up from the 2nd XI.

Gary Chappell, the Bradinch skipper, is more interested in Exeter’s availability issues than is own.

The city side has used 26 players in seven games – more than most teams get through in a season.

“You never quite know what side they'll turn up with, but it has the potential to be a very good game,” said Chappell.

“We'll continue with the way we've been playing that has brought us success so far.

“Hopefully it'll be another week when one or two players stick their hand up to win us the game.”

Exeter plan to bring opener Rob Holman back into the side against Bradninch.

Exeter are among the clutch of clubs mid-table in a division with little more than a win between Torquay in third bottom and Exmouth in second.

Lenygon warned there are no dead games  on the fixture list.

“With the division how it is every game for a while to most sides is going to be very important,” he said.

“We've now chased big scores and defended low ones so our confidence is high and hopefully we can get a win against a decent side.”

NORTH Devon skipper Ed Yeo doesn’t want champions Sidmouth getting in the way of his side’s rise up the table.

Fresh from inflicting a 64-run defeat on previously unbeaten Premier leaders Bovey Tracey, Sidmouth visit Instow this Saturday.

North Devon are on a roll at the moment having won three of the last four to go fifth in the table.

Sidmouth seem to be over a slow start – they beat Heathcoat last time out – but are not quite the fearsome force that swept almost all before them in 2016.

Yeo respects Sidmouth, who are two places further down the table, but isn’t afraid of them.

“In my view Sidmouth are in a false position because they are strong in every department,” said Yeo.

“We are missing a few from last week and won't be as strong, but have won the last two and we take momentum in to Saturday.

“We will look to target Sidmouth’s spinners as I see they are their week point.”

Sidmouth will be without Devon all-rounder Zak Bess, who is at a wedding.