HEATHCOAT defeated Westleigh by 92 runs at Knightshayes to clinch the Blights North Devon League Division One title.

Only Bridestowe and Belstone – who still have three games in hand on the long-time leaders – had any chance of catching Heathcoat for the title. And when they were rained-off against North Devon that was the end as far as they were concerned.

Tim Blight, a director of league sponsors Blights Motors, dashed down to Knightshayes to present Heathcoat captain Chris Salter with the champions’ trophy before the match against Westleigh got under way.

Salter won the toss and decided to bat first against Westleigh in a game pared down to 32 overs a side.

North Devon’s James Starkey took two early wickets to reduce Heathcoat to 10 for two.

Will Hall-Tomkin got his head down and together with Matthew Boundy put on 122 for the third wicket. Both made 70.

Dan Pugsley chipped in with 22, Jack McManus 11 and 18 extras took Heathcoat to 205 for six.

Starkey finished with figures of three for 44. Will Speed, Ashley Moores, and the evergreen James Morris had a wicket each.

Tight bowling from all eight Heathcoat bowlers kept the Westleigh batters under constant pressure.

Veteran opener Richard Pearson top scored with 38, Morris contributed 20, and there were 21 extras, as Westleigh were dismissed for 113 

Heathcoat’s Henry Cook took three for 15. Pugsley, Boundy, and Jack McManus all took two cheap wickets.

The contest for the Division Two title goes on with Newton Tracey (13.89pts) still leading Barnstaple & Pilton (13.18(, Victoria Park (12.8), Holsworthy (12.4) and Lynton & Lynmouth (11.56).

In the last round of fixtures the game between Newton Tracey and Braunton was abandoned. Exford conceded their game at Holsworthy.