Liam Lewis - Heathcoat's in-form opening batsman<br>credit: Gerry Hunt

TOP two Heathcoat and Sidmouth clash at Knightshayes tomorrow in the Premier Division match of the day.

Heathcoat are top of the table by 11 points from Sidmouth with seven rounds to play.

While Heathcoat were beating Hatherleigh by two wickets last time out, Sidmouth were losing by seven runs in a thriller with Plymouth.

Titles aren’t won this early in the season, but a Heathcoat victory would cut their odds on a first Premier crown.

Although they would be 24-25 points ahead of Sidmouth, there is still the challenge from Exeter (-14pts) and Exmouth (-24) to worry about.

A Sidmouth victory, coupled with a win for Exeter over Sandford, has the potential to create a three-club log-jam at the top.

Peter Randerson, the Heathcoat captain, is coy about title talk this early in the season. The ramifications don’t concern him; he just wants to win a game of cricket.

“We know Sidmouth are a top side and we will have to be at our best to beat them,” said Randerson.

“We managed to get one over on them at Sidmouth so we know they'll be gunning for us.

“We make it hard for teams to win at Knightshayes and this Saturday will be no different.

“It's our vice-presidents’ and sponsors’ day so we are hoping to put on a show.”

Luke Bess, a former Sidmouth team-mate of Randerson’s and now his opposite number is also keen to keep things simple.

“There is no point over complicating these things, the team that does the basics better will win the game,” said Bess.

“Obviously we are looking forward to it, as I am sure they are too.”

Sam Smith comes back into the Sidmouth side for Dylan Penberthy-Hutchings, who drops down into the 2nd XI in search of runs.

With Rob Powell and Cameron Grainger not around, Tom Wainwright steps up from the second team to keep.

NORTH Devon entertain Bradninch this Saturday keen to bounce back from an 85-run defeat at Exmouth.

North Devon stay in mid-table, 31 points away from the relegation places.

Tom Popham, who is skippering the side against Bradninch in the absence of Matt Westaway, felt North Devon could have done better against Exmouth.

“On a very flat wicket it was a good toss to win,” said Popham.

“Our bowlers stuck at it and worked hard, but we dropped a few tough catches which proved costly.

“It was a gettable total but we lost wickets at vital times chasing it.”

Ben Ward, North Devon’s 19-year-old off-spinning all-rounder, isn’t about for the next few weeks as he is playing European Championship cricket for Jersey.

Pace bowler Jack Popham will play subject to a fitness test on an on-going groin issue.

Spinner Jack Hockin definitely comes in, along with at least one other.

Bradninch moved within two points of safety when they defeated Sandford last time out.

Unfortunately for skipper Gary Chappell, he does not have the luxury of an unchanged team.

“We are missing quite a few this week for one reason or another, which is a shame,” said Chappell.

“But it gives some guys in the 2nd XI who have been doing well the opportunity to show what they've got.”

HATHERLEIGH need to do more than give rival teams a fright to put distance between themselves and the Premier Division trap door.

Table-topping Heathcoat were staring defeat in the face against third-bottom Hatherleigh when they were 77 for seven chasing 184 to win.

Ninety-nine times out of a hundred that would have been a losing position. This time it wasn’t!

Heathcoat went on to win by two wickets, to the irritation of Hatherleigh captain Mark Lake.

Hatherleigh face fourth-placed Exmouth at home this Saturday, another tricky proposition.

No pressure says Sandford captain Richard FoanLake has no wish to be cast in the role of gallant losers again.

“It is another home game and another chance to perform against a top team,” said Lake.

“We will continue to work hard and improve in areas that would have got us over the line against Heathcoat.

“Exmouth will be tough but if we go into the game with the same attitude as last week we will more than compete.”

Hatherleigh are a couple of bowlers light this Saturday as Sean Letheren and Simon Gillespie are absent. Rob Fishleigh and Danny Forrester come in. 

SANDFORD skipper Richard Foan feels his side are free to ‘express’ themselves from now on rather than worry about their situation.

Last season’s A Division champions are in danger of dropping straight back down again as they are 28 points adrift at the bottom.

We are obviously in a difficult situation and I would hope this would release any pressure the team has felt so far,” said Foan, whose team take on Exeter tomorrow at Creedy Park.

“Looking for the players to go out and express themselves for the rest of the season. 

“We have been on the back foot in a lot of games that won't be the case from now on. We have nothing to lose.”

It is worth noting there is time for Sandford to play their way out of trouble – and time for other clubs to get dragged into the more.

At the corresponding point last season the bottom two were Heathcoat and Plymouth, both of whom stayed up.

Paignton (7th) and Torquay, who were fourth, were the team to go down.

PLYMOUTH, who have won five on the trot on the way up the table to fifth, are in action against Bovey Tracey.

“It is another important game after a great win over Sidmouth last week,” said skipper Jon Varcoe, “and we are looking forward to the challenge of Bovey.”

Bovey Tracey have had issues in selection this week, which have led to low expectations.

“Selections been a real struggle for us this week with five of our main, first-team players unavailable,” said skipper Toby Codd.

“We're going into tomorrow's game expecting nothing and will see what happens.”