Devon Cricket Board - Exeter heading for top half of table

Exeter heading for top half of table

EXETER could still manage a top-four finish in the Premier Division if they beat Sidmouth this Saturday.
That is the consequence of Saturday’s 65-run win over Heathcoat at the County Ground.
The city side are sixth on 206 points, but only trail Bovey in fourth by seven points.
For a side that spent the first 10 weeks of the season bouncing around in the basement, fourth or even fifth in the final table would be a good result.
For Heathcoat the season probably can’t end soon enough.
They have done more than enough to stay clear of the drop zone. But the hoped-for top-four finish seldom looked remotely likely.
Heathcoat’s big failing was their inability to string runs together. They didn’t win two games on the trot all season.
Rob Holman’s run of form continued with a top score of 89 in Exeter’s total of 255 for seven.
Holman was fourth out at 170 having put on 46 with skipper Miles Lenygon (33) and 88 with Tom Lammonby (29).
There were runs down the order from Dom Bess – 26 off 28 balls – and 45 in 25 from George Greenway.
Pick of the bowlers with three for 39 was Matt Hodson. Paul Elliott and Brad Barnes didn’t give a lot away.
Heathcoat were all out for 190 in reply and could probably see the writing on the wall at 65 for four in the 15th over.
Toby Lochead, Barnes, Dylan Penberthy and Will Thompson had all gone by then with Jon Tipper (4-38) in the thick of the wicket taking.
Jack Dart’s 50 and 24 from Dinesh Raheja – they put on 65 for the fifth wicket – staved off a possible collapse.
Once the partnership was broken – the returning Tipper trapped Raheja lbw – wickets fell steadily to Tipper and Lenygon (3-39).
Last pair Elliot and Hodson hung around for five overs adding 24, but the game had gone by then.
Exeter skipper Lenygon said Holman set the tone and the rest of the team followed.
“Robbie once again batted properly and we could build an innings around him,” said Lenygon.
“George Greenway finished off with a rapid 45 which turned out out to be the difference.
“Tipper stepped up with the ball and got two crucial wickets, then we stuck at it well, fielded well and in the end won comfortably.”
Lochead, leading the Heathcoat side in the absence of skipper Sam Smith, said:” We weren't good enough.
“It's always difficult when the game is a dead rubber, however we were poor in all three disciplines and Exeter were the better side and fully deserved the win.
“A game to forget and we will go into Plymouth next week looking to finish the season on a high.”

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773