HEATHCOAT’S season fizzled out in the Sandhills at Instow where their game against North Devon was eventually rained-off.

Heathcoat had hoped to bounce straight back into the Premier Division following relegation with North Devon this time last year.

Skipper Jamie Drew declared himself disappointed by largely comfortable with just missing out on promotion.

“Happy to finish third considering where we were mid-season,” said Drew, whose side were 50 points off the pace 11 rounds in.

“It is still gutting not to have reached our goal, but the fight shown to get uys so close from being way off is one I am proud of, especially as so many of last season’s players were missing.

“Hopefully, we can go into next season more experienced and in a better place to achieve promotion.”

There were plenty of notable performances with bat and ball by Heathcoat players, who were well represented in the divisional top-20s.

Drew was the division’s leading wicket taker with 32 wickets. Dan Pugsley booked 25 while Matt Knight and Tom Hatton both got into 20s. 

“Dan Pugsley had his best wicket-taking season in the first team,” said Drew.

Dan Butler, whose 442 league runs included 99 against Cullompton was Heathcoat’s leading scorer. Bedford (383), Hatton (380) and Dylan Penberthy-Hutchings (355) were consistent run scorers.

“It has been great seeing players like Dan Butler step-up,” said Drew. “As our leading run scorer, he proved he deserves to play at this standard.