Exmouth suffered a frustrating defeat at home to league leaders Heathcoat in a rain-affected game at the Maer Ground.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Exmouth endured a tough start to their fielding exploits, as the Heathcoat openers Rob Holman (78) and Joe Du’Gay (40) calmly set about building a strong total in a game initially reduced to 40 overs.
Ryan Schauffler finally made a breakthrough with the score on 92, removing Du’Gay with Peter Turnbull taking the catch, and it was a wicket that sparked an excellent spell for the Exmouth bowler.
Sam Goodier caught Tom Hatton for five, again from Schauffler’s bowling, and he claimed his third wicket by skittling over Jack Dart for just one.
Wicket number four removed Simon Sobczak for a duck and Heathcoat were struggling on 108-4, but James Onley-Gregson settled the visitors with a solid partnership of 55 with the imperious Holman. Schauffler ended with figures of 4-34 from his eight overs.
Heathcoat finished on 163-5, a target further reduced to 159 from 37 years following another break for rain, and Exmouth made a competent start before Billy Rudolph departed for eight.
The third wicket partnership between James Horler (38) and Dan Pyle (23) gave Exmouth hope, although the run rate was perhaps a little slower than required.
However, when Pyle and Horler were dismissed in quick succession, with Turnbull caught and bowled for two, Exmouth had lost three wickets for just four runs and reeling on 74-4.
Finlay Marks (8) and Lawrence Greenway (30) briefly settled the chase, moving the score to 103 when Marks was bowled by Jack Menhenott.
Exmouth badly needed a wagging tail but the bottom five batsmen could only manage four runs between them, as Heathcoat ran out winners by 35 runs.
While Heathcoat can look forward to an important game at third-placed Plymouth, the Exmouth boys must regroup quickly for a crucial game at bottom club Cornwood on Saturday, a tie the Maer men will feel they must win to open up a cushion on the relegation spots.