Premier 1st XI: Plympton dragged back into mire

PREMIER DIVISION 

HEATHCOAT defeated Bovey Tracey by one wicket in a low-scoring affair that may prove their lifeline out of the drop zone.

For fellow strugglers Plympton were rained off against Budleigh Salterton, which dragged them eight back into the relegation mix.

Heathcoat are still in the bottom two, but the gap between them and safety has narrowed to seven points.

Safety means getting past Plympton, who visit Heathcoat this Saturday with survival at stake.

Bovey were bowled out for 118 in 39 overs, which Heathoat knocked off with their last pair in the middle.

Former captain Paul Elliot, who was in at the end when the winning run came with two overs to go, said Heqthcoat now have a fighting chance.

“With Plympton to play it is in our own hands now and we can’t ask for any more,” said Ellliot.

“I didn’t think the result was in any doubt when we were 102 for six, but then we had the inevitable wobble. The main thing is we got there in the end.”

Plympton are now right back n the mire and skipper Andy Walter isn’t happy about it.

“Being rained off was bad enough, but with Heathcoat winning as well it turned out to be a bad weekend without playing,” said Walter.

“This Saturday’s game is now one of the biggest the club has had since we've been in the Premier Division.

“ It's a must win game - everyone needs to stand up and be counted.”

Bovey were in all sorts of trouble at 29 for five before Nick Seager (23) and Zaid Joseph (33) hauled them round with a stand of 26.

Heathcoat spluttered to 32 for four in reply – Danny Childs (5-59) and Chris Bradley (2-20) doing most of the damage – and were glad Pete Randerson hang around to make 30.

When he wentt, and Jack Maunder followed soon after, Heathcoat were back in the cart at 67 for seven.

Heathcoat were bailed out a second time by Sam Smith (18) and Ned Menheneott (19), whose stand off 35 for the seventh wicket made victory possible.

Sidmouth beat Paignton by eight wickets chasing 112 to win to keep the pressure up on leaders North Devon for one more week.

However, as North Devon were rained off at Plymouth on Saturday they missed the chance to wrap up the title, and leave Sidmouth just a glimmer of hope for one more week.

Josh Bess clattered 34 off 24 balls with some big hitting which included a shattered car window in the car park of the Belmont Hotel next year.

Bryan removed Bess and Griffiths, which left Neil Hancock (38no) and Luke Bess (12no) to knock off the last 41 needed.

 


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