FORMER Heathcoat captain Dylan Penberthy-Hutchings is on the move to Exmouth for the 2027 Premier Division season.

Penberthy-Hutchings, who will be 32 when the season starts next May, played his first adult game for Heathcoat back in 2009. Other than spending the 2022 summer with Budleigh Salterton, he has been there ever since.

Heathcoat were back into the Tolchards DCL A Division last season following relegation from the top flight in 2025.

Penberthy-Hutchings outlined his main motivation for moving clubs when he said: “I want to have one more crack at trying to win the Premier Division before I get too old!”

The Maer Grounders, who have asked Dan Pyle to take over as skipper from the coalition captaincy of James Horler and Fin Marks, faded from the title race in the second half of the 2026 season.

Exmouth were early season front runners – they were unbeaten in their first eight games – but fell away after losing to eventual champions Paignton and finished a distant fourth. They have not won a Premier title since 2013.

Penberthy-Hutchings has been briefed by former Heathcoat team-mates Jack Dart and Dan Pyle, both of whom are at Exmouth, and likes what they said about the club’s targets.

“There’s a good bunch at Exmouth, who are keen to be competitive again this year,” he said.

“Exmouth have lost a couple of players, but are essentially gaining players who missed out on a lot of last season with injury.

“There’s a couple of signings in the pipeline I hear, along with an overseas, so it’s all very promising.”

Exmouth, uniquely among Premier Division clubs, had no overseas player in 2026.

Pyle is keeping his close-season cards close to his chest for the time being. He confirmed being ‘very happy’ to sign Penberthy-Hutchings, and added there are more ‘ins and outs’ in the pipeline.

Devon picked Penberthy-Hutchings twice back in 2016, Against Wales and Herefordshire. His debut against Wales was a unique occasion as he was one of five former Blundell’s School pupils in the county side. Jack Dart, Pyle, Zac Bess and Dom Bess were the others.

Penberthy-Hutchings was a member of the Heathcoat side that won Premier Division titles in 2019 and 2021.  He skippered Heathcoat in 2024 and 2025. Following relegation in 2025, he passed the captaincy to Jamie Drew.

With more than 150 Premier and A Division matches under his belt for Heathcoat, and a further 16 for Budleigh, Penberthy-Hutchings has an enviable track record of nearly 3,000 league runs at an average in the high 20s. His career best is 114 against Bradninch & Kentisbeare in 2025.

Looking back on his time at Knightshayes, Penberthy-Hutchings said winning two titles was top of his achievement list. He added: “On a personal note it’s always nice scoring runs in important wins for the club, although there were mixed emotions with the hundred at Bradninch in a losing cause.”

Penberthy-Hutchings said leaving Heathcoat would be a wrench and thanked skipper Drew for making the process smooth.

“Jamie has been really good and understands what I want to try and achieve next season.,” said Penberthy-Hutchings.

Said Drew: “Dylan wants to try and win the Premier Division while he still can, which is understandable but very frustrating for us.”

[O] Sidmouth’s attempt to bounce straight back into the Premier Division following relegation has been dented by the departure of opening batsman Sam Elstone.

Elstone, a regular in the Devon side that won the National Counties title last season, is on the way to ambitious Cornish Premier club Callington.

With a record of 1,977 Premier Division runs across four seasons at an average of 48.22, Elstone will be missed at the Fortfield.