Devon Cricket Board - Torquay stay top after ending Heathcoat run

Torquay stay top after ending Heathcoat run

HEATHCOAT’S winning run fizzled out before they could make it three in a row with a 114-run defeat at Torquay.
Torquay were always in the driving seat against Heathcoat after running up a total of 272 for seven.
The Seasiders had the worst possible start when opener Ollie Pitts was run out in the first over by Ned Menheneott without facing a ball.
Surviving opener Mitch Pugh (86) and Devon captain Matt Thompson (63) repaired the early damage by putting on 163 for the second wicket.
Thompson went for 63 off 111 balls in the 35th over and Pugh fell for 86 four runs later. Both wickets went to Heathcoat’s South African professional Brad Barnes, who finished with three for 60.
Torquay had 15 overs to bat with wickets in hand didn’t hang about.
Sach Galhenge made 45 – he and Ryan Stevenson put on 45 in six overs for the fifth wicket – then Bertus Loots smeared 21 off 10 balls as 26 went up in the final two and a half overs.
Of the Heathcoat bowlers only Paul Elliot went for less than four an over, although Matt Hague (0-26) and Jamie Drew (1-43) were within a respectable tolerance.
Heathcoat were all out for 158 in reply, but had run out of steam long before then,
Paceman Stevenson did the damage up top – his three for 22 were openers Lochead and Penberthy (29) followed by the third-ball bonus of free-scoring Sam Smith – and when Jack Dart was run out Heathcoat were 88 for four with 20 overs gone.
Barnes was already in by then and batted virtually to the end as wickets fell around him
Barnes made a run-a-ball 70 before falling to Galhenage at 154 for eight. None of his batting partners made more than five.
It took Galhenage just four balls to remove the last three wickets as Heathcoat caved in.
There were no complaints from the Heathcoat camp, and more than a hint of admiration or the leaders’ opening bowler Stevenson
“The best team won on the day,” said vice-captain Toby Lochead.
“Torquay set a platform to get a big score and were able to take risks in the last 15 overs, allowing them to get to 272.
“We had to get off to a good start, but with an opening bowler who doesn't give you anything to hit it was always going to be difficult.
“Stevenson looks like a great recruit for them and if he bowls like that for the rest of the season, then Torquay must be favourites for the title.”
Lochead said the positive for Heathcoat was the form of South African Brad Barnes, whose last three scores are 48, 70 and 70 again.
“Now he is used to the English pitches, he looks a different class and I'm sure he is going to score a lot more runs this season for us,” said Lochead.

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