Lewis suspended for Heathcoat decider

HEATHCOAT skipper Liam Lewis will be missing from his side's starting line-up for the must-win game at Exmouth tomorrow after collecting a four-match ban.

And to make matters worse for Heathcoat, to go with the ban the club have had a three-point deduction slapped on them, cutting their safety margin over Plympton from five to two points.

Lewis was up before the bench over allegations of dissent towards the umpires in the recent game against Bovey Tracey. The charges were upheld and Lewis won't play again until the middle of May next year.

Having beaten Plympton last Saturday to move out of the bottom two, Heathcoat have to avoid feeling deflated by the ban on Lewis and getting dragged down by it.

Lewis, who is still hands-on despite his suspension, said: "It was a great win last Saturday, but it counts for nothing if we don't get a positive result at Exmouth.

"We are two points clear, so the equation is simple – win well and we will stay up.

"We will need to be on top form to get a result against a good Exmouth side. If we can get amongst their batting early we will have a great chance of winning."

Bradninch can do Heathcoat a massive favour by beating Plympton – and there is no danger they won't be doing their best.

Captain Gary Chappell feels his side haven't always shown their best form this season and wants to go out on a high.

"It has been a disappointing season for us with a lot of injury and availability issues, which have disrupted things and meant we haven't been able to consistently get our best XI out," Chappell said.

"Although we haven't hit our targets, we have maintained Premier status – and have plans in place already for next season.

"With myself, Tim Piper and Ross Acton all fit and regularly available next season, plus a couple of new additions, we will be a lot stronger."

Plympton captain Andy Walter, who has brought back former Devon all-rounder Keith Donohue to help the fight for survival, said he was optimistic of getting a result.

“We have another must win game and I feel that if we play as well as we have done in stop and starts this season then we should get the result we need,” said Walter.

“Season wise, we always knew it was going to be a tough season with the number of experienced players we lost.

“I feel overall the lads can be very proud of themselves to still be in with a shout of staying up going into the last game of the season.

“The signing of overseas player Ali Imran Pasha was a massive plus for the team and the club and everybody can see why with the wickets he's taken and also the runs he's scored.

“Josh Mailling has had a brilliant debut season for us since arriving from Ivybridge..He's come into the side and become a very important part of the team.

“Fingers crossed we can finish the season on a high and stay in the top flight.”

Budleigh Salterton finish their season with a trip to North Devon.

Selection could be an issue for Budleigh as they have four players in the county squad for Cambridgeshire and the team management has asked them to consider travelling on Saturday afternoon.

Sidmouth entertain Bovey Tracey with the runners-up spot already assured.

Sidmouth captain Will Murray's priority over the weekend is Sunday's Devon Cup final at Bovey (1pm), where Plymouth are the opposition.

Murray is predicting a clash of similar styles and a close contest.

"Plymouth are a good 40-over side because they have batsmen who get on with it and bowlers such as Dave Burke who don't give you much to hit," said Murray.

"We are much the same with batsmen like Will Gater, Neil Hancock and Nick Gingell, who can take a game away from the opposition in a few overs.

"Will Gater's last three innings against Plymouth have been 52, 67 and a quick 85 in the league last Saturday.

"He will be looking forward to seeing them again – not sure they will feel the same though!"


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