HEATHCOAT pulled off a two-run win over Budleigh Salterton that left skipper Jamie Drew cooing with the delight.

It appeared Budleigh were on course for a routine run chase to victory after skittling Heathcoat for 112.

But Budleigh stumbled from the start – they were 14 four two overs in largely due to losing three wickets in three balls  – and despite a valiant effort from Sam Whitehead were bowled out for 110.

Said Drew: “To defend 112 is a serious effort and I was so proud of the fight shown from the lads.

“Everyone played their part with the ball and we fielded brilliantly. Two team hat-tricks in two weeks definitely help with restricting scores.

“We still have a lot to improve on with the bat in hand. Budleigh bowled really well on what was actually a decent wicket, although the scores don’t reflect that.”

Sid Fereday (2-15) did the up-front damage with the ball for Budleigh, then Hugo Hughes (5-42) and Simaant Dubey (2-19) got stuck in as Heathcoat stumbled along.

Fine margins can have big consequences in low-scoring games, which made Drew’s 12 and Finn Stoneman’s 16 just as important as the 30 made by Dylan Penberthy-Hutchings.

Budleigh opener Luke Davies had been and gone by the end of the first over. The team ‘hat-trick’ – two for Drew (2-16) and a run-out – was just the start of Budleigh’s problems.

Ed Doble (15) and Whitehead got to 32 when the former was winkled out by Archie Goodrick (3-38).

Freddie Bucknell (4-33) picked-up wickets as he went along, the third of them Whitehead ending Whitehead’s 81-ball stay for 41 runs.

Ten to win proved too much for last pair Fereday and Alex Roper, who was the last man out when Heathcoat finally manoeuvred him on to the strike.

Doble, the Budleigh skipper, said: “Strong first half but, ultimately, a disappointing result.”