Devon Cricket Board - Heather ton helps put Chudleigh in promotion driving seat

Heather ton helps put Chudleigh in promotion driving seat

MATT Heather stroked a century as Chudleigh beat relegation worriers Abbotskerswell by 13 runs to move within one more win of promotion.
It was a close-run thing for Chudleigh as Abbots chased to the bitter end.
The victory puts Chudleigh 18 points clear of second-placed Plymstock.
The more important statistic is the 26-point lead over third-placed Thorverton.
Thorverton visit Chudleigh this Saturday playing to stay in the promotion race. If Chudleigh win they are up.
The title will be decided on the last day when Chudleigh go to Plymstock, unless Axminster beat Plymstock this Saturday.
“This is where the season starts for us,” said skipper Ed Foreman.
“We have two really tough games and need to win one of them.
“We have to be at our best against Thorverton and try to get the job done at home.
“I know we can play better than we did against Abbotskerswell – and will have to if we want to end Thorverton’s winning run.”
Heather went in at 24 for one when Dan le Marquand fell lbw to Tom Andrew (2-47) and batted through to the end for an unbeaten 106.
Mark Solway (31) shared stand of 66 with Heather and skipper Ed Foreman made a brisk 36 as exactly 100 went on for the third wicket.
In the last nine overs Chudleigh’s middle and lower-order batters supported Heather, who scored 31 of the 50 runs added.
Hugo Whitlock returned for a second spell and took four wickets to finish with four for 27.
Abbots, who are bottom of the table, had to go for it and very nearly pulled of a win.
Dylan Nell (65) and Charlie Hill (34) got the score up to 89 for two and when Nell fell to Matt Heather the tally was 129 for three with more than 16 overs to go.
Charlie Mitchell (35) and Andrew (25) made further inroads, but the asking rate was climbing.
Forty to win off four overs with Andrew just out to Bradley Sercombe (4-41) was the end of the line. Abbots were all out for 227 in the final over.
“We batted well, especially Matt Heather, who has been superb all season, said Foreman.
“Our bowling was good enough and helped by good catching.
“Bradley Sercombe held his nerve with the ball and was a big part of why we won
“We also took a wicket with the last ball of the game to take maximum points.”
Defeat leaves Abbots on the bottom with a 14-point gap to bridge to get ahead of South Devon to reach safety.
The fight for survival continues this Saturday with a derby date at home to Ipplepen.

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