EXETER defeated Heathcoat by 38 runs in a game interrupted by bad weather and decided using the Duckworth-Lewis System.

Exeter cracked along to 245 for three before rain stopped play in the 43rd over with opener Seb Linnett left high and dry on 99 not out.

The stoppage meant a consultation with the DLS tables, which determined Heathcoat would have to make 257 to win in the 35 overs allocated.

It was a tall order, which proved just a little too tall for Heathcoat, who were all out for 218 with 15 balls to go.

“The top order got us flying and I was very happy with where we were heading,” said Joe Gore, the Exeter captain.

Charles Clist (16) and Freddie Cockram (25) helped Exeter to 84 for two in the first 20 overs. The rest of the innings was dominated by a stand of 120 between Linnett and Fin Hill.

Hill made 70 off 57 balls – two sixes, seven fours – and when he departed Sam Read helped Linnett added 41 more in the final six overs.

“Seb's knock was classy and a great return to the side,” said his skipper. “Sadly, the rain prevented more.”

No Heathcoat bowled took more than one wicket. James Boyle, Jamie Drew and James Onley-Gregson all operated below five runs an over.

Dylan Penberthy-Hutchings, the Heathcoat captain, said We started really well and dominated the first 15 or so overs – and could have Seb out a couple times.

“We bowled very poorly after that, all bowlers bowling too short and over complicating things. Fin and Seb batted really well, but we gave them a lot. 

“Because we bowled so poorly we were then on the wrong side of DLS, needing 256 to win off 35.”

Heathcoat were 50 for three eight overs into their reply. Their hope was to get ahead of the DLS par score before the anticipated rain returned. 

James Boyle (61) and Onley-Gregson (42) put on 74 and the runs continued to flow from Noah Musikanth (26) and J J Albanie (16). There was just one snag: the rain stayed away.

Exeter bowlers Billy Buckingham (3-30) and Alex Jarman (4-36) got into the bottom half of the order as Heathcoat faded from 195 for five to 218 all out.

“We always knew Heathcoat would come hard at us with the bat, but we stayed clear in our plans, took key wickets and made it difficult,” said Gore.

“It was always going to be tough on a pitch that did not offer much for the spinners.”

Penberthy-Hutchings was sanguine about the outcome and the vagaries of the British weather.

“We gave it a real good go and it was pleasing to see us get going as a batting unit, especially after losing Tom Hatton and myself early doors,” he said. 

“It's a shame the second batch of forecasted rain didn't come as we were ahead of DLS for the majority of our innings. 

“James Boyle batted superbly and was well supported by a few. James Gregson was going well until he got on the wrong side of a decision.

“Getting to 218 off 32 overs was impressive – and we will take that into Bovey Tracey this Saturday.”

As Paignton (105pts) and Sidmouth (128) either side of Heathcoat (116) both lost as well, their situation in the bottom five remains largely unaltered.

Exeter are fourth in the table, which prompted Gore to say: “Very happy with where we sit in the league this week.”