Textbook stuff from Rob Holman, who top scored for Heathcoat against Sandford<br>credit: Gerry Hunt

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

Click here to see Fiona Tyson's match gallery

GARETH Tidball and captain Rob Cockwill both hit half-centuries in Hatherleigh’s four-wicket win over North Devon.

North Devon took the scenic route to an all-out total of 173 that wended its way from 73 for two to 90 for five then via 125 to eight to the final destination.

Dan Bowser hits out for North Devon against Hatherleigh | Fiona TysonDan Bowser opened up with 43, Ben Howe followed him with 22 and Reuben Windley made a slow 34 down the order as the innings meandered along.

Wickets were shared with three for Dan Fogerty and two apiece for Paul Heard and Eddie Jones.

“Dan Fogerty bowled his nine overs straight through in very hot conditions and tied up an end for us, which allowed Eddie Jones and Charlie Presswell to operate from the other,” said skipper Cockwill.

“The key moment was Jones picking up the wicket of Bowser with a very good   catch from Tidball low down at slip. Dan was just staring to look dangerous and he can take the game away from you very quickly.”

Hatherleigh lost Niall Leahy early and were two down when Robert Fishleigh went on 41. Tidball, in a first wicket down, advanced the score to 123 for three in tandem with Cockwill.

By the time Cockwill was fourth out on 162 the chase was almost done.

Pick of the bowlers was North Devon’s injury prone paceman Jack Popham, who picked up four for 33. Popham had been pencilled into the Devon side to face Cornwall at Sandford this Sunday, but had to drop out due to an ankle injury sustained over the weekend.

It was Hatherleigh’s first league win of the shortened season. North Devon remain winless.Dan Fogerty in the middle of his gruelling nine-over spell against North Devon | Photo: Fiona Tyson

Winning captain Cockwill said there was a plan for the chase and it worked.

“Our top four did what I asked and broke the back of the chase on a tricky, slow wicket,” said Cockwill.

“Myself and Gareth Tidball has to adjust to conditions quickly as the pitch got slower and slower, but we knew if we just batted the overs we would get the runs.

“We made it tighter than we would have liked by not batting to the end, but the lower order stepped up to see us over the line.”

HEATHCOAT moved out on their own at the top of Premier North after defeating previously unbeaten Sandford by 36 runs in the derby clash at Knightshayes.

Heathcoat cruised to 216 for eight in their 45 overs with opener Rob Holman top scoring on 82.

Holman, a well-orgainised left-hander, put on 73 with Dan Pyle (28) and 59 with Jamie Drew (29). Tom Frankpitt (32no) went in when Holman was dismissed on 146 and was still there at the end.

Liam Lewis, who took a ton and some off Hatherleigh seven days earlier, was out second ball to Chris Simpson (2-25).

Sandford started brightly with openers Ryan Glass (22) and Adam Small (41) getting established, but once Glass went to Matt Hague (2-35) wickets fell regularly at one end in a running total of 86 for five around the 20-over mark.

Making up lost time was tough for Sandford as Heathcoat spinners Jamie Drew (1-26) and Jack Menheneott (2-30) bowled nine-overs each very cheaply.

Sandford did have some batting down the order in the shape of Trevor Anning (22) and Chris Simpson, but the returning Hague dismissed the former and Menheneott the latter to end the game as contest.

Jamie Palmer (21) and Tudor Morgan-Huggett  (16no) took Sandford most of the way to 180 for nine.

Peter Randerson, the Heathcoat captain, said his side had to grind out the runs that put them in a winning position.

“It was a tough wicket to bat on and Rob, Jamie and Thomas did really well to get us to a score we could defend. 

“Fair play to Sandford they came out and gave it a good go.”

Richard Foan, the Sandford captain, said his heart sank when he lost the toss and had to bat second.

“We pretty much lost the game at the toss as the pitch deteriorated pretty badly as the game went on,” said Foan.

“It made chasing 217 pretty difficult, but we did really well to survive the 45 overs and not get bowled out.

“Adam Small played nicely for his 40 and a few lads chipped in, but we let them get too many runs in the end. 

“We know we are pretty well matched with them so it is a good measure of how the team is improving each year. 

“And it is great to be playing and giving everyone a good go to keep improving.”

Heathcoat, who have a 3.17-point lead over Sandford at the top of the table, are at home to Hatherleigh on Saturday. Sandford entertain North Devon.

Click here for more Premier Division reports