HEATHCOAT got the brake on just in time to stop Bovey Tracey pulling off an unlikely win in a fast and furious A Division encounter.

Bovey were asked to improve on Heathcoat’s 50-over total of 269 for seven and were lagging behind the asking rate on 93 for four at halfway.

A stand of 64 between Albie Bradley and Sam Taylor (41) was the catalyst for a comeback that made up for lost time.

Ultimately, overs to go were not Bovey’s problem: wickets in hand to use them up were. They were eventually all out for 231, but only after a struggle.

Dan Butler’s run of form continued at the top of the Heathcoat order with a top score of 67. Tom Hatton (31) and Dylan Penberthy-Hutchings (30) helped Butler get the score up tyo 162 for four.

Losing Butler then Drew (24) in quick succession left Heathcoat to start again on the last lap, which Artie Evans (55) and James Onley-Gregson (46no) did. They put on 107 with a mixture of big hits and improvisations!

Hem Chetri (3-40) was the most effective of Bovey’s full-time bowlers.

Hatton in first-change bowler mode took three for 35 to slow Bovey’s chase. Although Bradley and Taylor were parted by Dan Pugsley (3-70), the chase carried.

Pugsley and Evans (2-57) probably felt it was job done when Bovey were nine down with 76 still needed. Tail-ender Chris Yabsley didn’t think so. He made 24 not out in a stand of 37 that only ended when Bradley as bowled for 66 by Drew (2-20).

Elsewhere in the A Division, North Devon defeated Kilmington, Budleigh Salterton beat Cullompton, Thorverton tied with Ivybridge and Bridestowe & Belstone battered Torquay & Kingskerswell.

Next up, Bovey Tracey 1st XI will welcome Cullompton to The Recreation Ground.