BOVEY Tracey plunged down the Premier Division table to third from bottom after suffering an eight-wicket tanking at Heathcoat.

Bovey were bowled out for 119, having previously been 68 for one – Fin Stoneman taking six for 30 – and that first Premier win wrapped up inside 20 overs.

Although Jamie Drew (1-28), Jesse-James Albanie (1-28), Tom Hatton (0-16) and Joe Hancock (2-27) all bowled mean spells, wickets were in short supply.

Stoneman accounted for Foreman then Kent ten runs apart, then added Musa Twala almost immediately.

Hancock and Albie soon got the idea and Stoneman took three more wickets on his way to a career-best performance in the first team. His previous high was three for 38 against Sidmouth in 2022.

An intervention from the weather gods meant a referral to Messrs Duckworth-Lewis, who ruled Heathcoat needed 95 to win in 33 overs. Wickets fell at 47 and 59 – both to Ollie Clifford-Bourne (2-11) – during a routine run chase.

Dylan Penberthy-Hutchings (23) and Drew (28no) were the main run-getters.

Losing captain Codd said: “We started really well with the bat, but collapsed badly.

“We won't dwell on the result too much and will go again this Saturday against Exmouth.”

 Bovey Tracey 2nd XI were also in action and they beat Barton by six wickets to inflict a first defeat of the season on the former B Division leaders.

Barton were held to 132 for six in a rain-delayed 29-over game, Duckworth-Lewis striking again and deciding Bovey had to reach 151 in the same time to be declared winners.

It proved to be a close call for Bovey, who edged home with just five balls remaining.

Bovey captain Dan Green had nothing but praise for his team after this victory: “Jamie and Brad did a great job and not losing wickets early made all the difference.”

Abbotskerswell’s losing run in the Tolchards DCL A Division continued when they went down by five wickets to new boys Bridestowe.

Another mass failure at the top of the order meant Abbots were 11 for four before they knew it.

Toby Hard – 48 not out from 93 balls – showed the sort of application needed when there is rain in the air to get Abbots up to 121 for eight in 36 overs.

Bridestowe’s DLS target was 110 in 36 overs, which they achieved with exactly 10 overs to go.

Ethan Guest (26no) helped his side recover after a few slips on the way to a win that took Bridestowe to third in the table. Abbots remain 10th out of 10.

Nick Watkin, the Abbotskerswell captain, wasn’t convinced the game should have been finished at all.

“Bowling wise we gave it a good go in conditions that, in my opinion, were unsafe. Full credit to Bridestowe who deserved their win.”