Devon Cricket Board - A Division news - Keep it sensible says Smith

HEATHCOAT beat Paignton by one wicket in a real nail-biter to close in on a promotion place back to the Premier Division after a year away.

The table-toppers knew they had been in a game after scraping past Paignton’s total of 206 for eight with their last pair at the crease.

Everything in the garden looks rosy for Heathcoat, who are 15 points clear of rained-off Sandford in second place.

Skipper Sam Smith won’t commit himself just yet, but agrees Heathcoat have done most of the hard work.

“Touch wood, if we continue playing sensible cricket for the last four games we should be promoted,” said Smith.

Paignton started well at Knightshayes, fell apart in the middle then recovered in the latter stages.

They were looking good at 84 for one after Mark Smith (51) and George Yates (31) had been at work, but slowed from 109 for two to 121 for six under pressure from Justin Williams (2-44) and Mitch Baker (2-21).

Ollie Higgs (41no) and George Benton (38) hoisted 78 for the seventh wicket before Jean Rossouw (2-35) broke the stand.

“I thought 250 was about the par score on that pitch so was more than happy to keep Paignton to 208,” said Heathcoat skipper Smith.

“It was spinners and in particular the part-timers Justin Williams and Mitch Baker who slowed Paignton down.

“We were really getting through the overs – 37 in two hours – and Paignton could never settle.”

Heathcoat were cracking along happily at 75 for none – Sam smith (49) and Dave Penberthy (29) doing the business – but 89 for five was a different story.

Stephen George (3-23) got stuck into the batting, aided and abetted by Chris Kelmere and a run-out.

The Menheneotts – Ned (26) and Jack (34) – started the fightback with a stand of 46 then Jason Parr (28) joined Jack to take the score up to 164 for seven.

It got a bit hairy again when Parr and Jamie Drew went at 195 and 196, but Rossouw played it safe to get Heathcoat over the line.

“Seventy-five for none was happy days – then we castled and were glad of the Menheneotts doing a make-up job,” said Smith.

“Jack and Ned have been really important for us in the middle order this season – and they came up with the goods again.

“It got a bit hairy at the end, but Jean batted sensibly when we needed him to and showed what a good, all-round cricketer he has the potential to be.”

Heathcoat are at home to Barton this Saturday afternoon.

Sandford will be hoping for better luck with the weather when they visit Hatherleigh this Saturday.

Their game against Braunton was rained off with the score on 48 for none. The not out batsmen were Russell Discombe (27) and Dave Dredge.

PLYMPTON forced their way right into the promotion reckoning with a hefty 140-run win over Plymstock in the derby clash at Harewood House.

Ross Farrer hit a top score of 54 and Plympton made 206 for eight in 45 overs.

Farrer put on 58 with Craig Donohue mid innings after Andy Walter (26) and Dave Wrench (42) had totalled 65 for the second wicket.

Ryan Skinner then took four for 23 and Wes Hartslief three for six as Plymstock were rolled over for 66 in reply.

Scott Mansfield top scored with 27 and was the only batsman in double figures. Five Plymstock batters didn’t manage a run between them.

Plympton were third already and that’s where they stay. However, Sandford were rained off against Braunton, allowing Jeremy Williams men to close the gap between third and second to seven points.

Plymstock stay where they were three off the bottom and relieved that Abbotskerswell lost to Brixham and remain below them.

Plympton skipper Jeremy Williams declined to be drawn into promotion talk, although with Paignton (4th) and leaders Heathcoat to play as it’s not going to be straightforward catching Sandford.

Williams preferred to focus on the areas Plympton excelled, in particular when they bowled.

Plymstock bowled excellently first up and runs were hard to come by,” said Williams.

“Andy Walter batted nicely again as did David Wrench, however we played some poor shots in the middle overs and were struggling at 120-5.

“Ross Farrer was simply superb, busily ticking the scoreboard over for his 56, something he has done a few times for us this year and ee eventually got what I felt was a slightly over-par 205.

“Bowling wise Wes, Jamie Lee, Ryan Skinner and James Carr (2-12) were outstanding.

“When Wes and Ryan Skinner get the ball moving at decent pace, as they have been over the past few weeks, they are a serious handful for anyone at our level.

“It was an excellent all-round performance and we now look forward to next week’s home game to Brixham.”

KYLE Schreuder turned in a man-of-the-match performance as Brixham defeated Abbotskeswell by 54 runs.

Left-hander Schreuder took an unbeaten century off Brixham in a total of 222 for five.

Along the way to his 102 not out Schreuder shared a stand of 109 for the second wicket with George Northcott (67).

Other than two for 41 from Charlie Garratt, the Abbots’ bowling figures were notable for containment rather than penetration..

Abbots looked in no real trouble at first as they reached 96 for two – Mawgan Penrice (26) and Ryan Williams putting on 48 for the third wicket.

Then the wheel fell off. Wickets tumbled with Schroeder (4-15) more than taking his share.

Lee Upham (3-19) and Craig Eaves (2-49) and despite 40 from captain Richard Acton the Abbots were all out for 168.

Brixham are now 39 points away from the relegation area and one-win away from safety.

The struggle goes on for Abbots though as they are stuck in the bottom two with five points needed to get ahead of Plymstock.

BARTON only got as far as tea against Hatherleigh before weather washed out the game.

Andy McVeigh was last man out for a top score of 65 in a Barton total of 239 for nine.

McVeigh went on at 128 for five after Adam Parker (330 and Hasan Badat (43) had been and gone.

There were three wickets each for Rob Fishley and Charlie Neilson before time ran out in the 47th over.

Barton were hoping to win to keep in touch with second-placed Sandford, who were expected to defeat bottom side Braunton.

Fortunately for Barton there was an even earlier finish at Sandford, who were rained off at 48 for none.

However, Barton have to find 31 points to get into the top two and the odds on that looks slim.

Promotion was never a serious aim for Barton this season and if they can finish the right side of halfway that will be a decent outcome.

“That said I think we still have a strong chance of finishing the season in a higher position then we are now, whether that be in the top two who knows?” said skipper Adam Parker.

“ We are 30 points behind second place with 80 points still up for grabs and we have to play two teams that are above us still.

“We can certainly play a part in the final top two whether we are in that or not.

“We will be taking each game as it comes and look to finish the season strongly.

“Following our promotion last year our main aim was to consolidate our position in the A Division.

“We have shown that we can hold our and I am confident we can demonstrate that further during the last four games.