CONRAD SUTCLIFFE REPORTING

EARLY-order batsman Toby Lochead is on his way back to Heathcoat for a third stint at the club.

In the 17 seasons since Lochead made his DCL debut, he has appeared in more than 200 league games for either Sandford, Heathcoat and latterly Braunton.

Lochead’s days to remember include a career-best 149 for Heathcoat against Whimple in the 2020 Covid League and another ton off Alphington twelve months earlier.

Lochead said the catalyst for returning to Knightshayes one more time was the disastrous fire in August that left the clubhouse a pile of smouldering ashes.

Said Lochead: “I will always view Heathcoat as my ‘home’ and when Dylan approached me about going back, it was only ever going to be a ‘yes’.

"The devastation of the pavilion burning down brought the whole Heathcoat family together and I look forward to being involved in the rebuild on and off the pitch.

“The prospect of playing Premier Division cricket with the people I have grown up playing with was too good to turn down.

“My availability should be improved and I want to give as much to the club as I can.”

Work commitments limited Lochead’s appearances for Braunton in their C Division East promotion-winning season last summer. He was a virtual ever-present in the near-miss side of 2022.

Heathcoat may be Lochead’s ‘home’, but he has nothing but fond memories of his time at Kelsey.

“Braunton are a fantastic club and I wish them every success in the B Division,” said Lochead.