That's a fine result from your first go imaging with a Newtonian Michael. An 8 inch on a HEQ5 is not easy to balance and it's probably pushing the recommended payload for that mount as you say but 'Proof is in the Pudding' and the result is a pretty dam good pudding! Focus may have been a bit off but poor seeing can also soften the look of stars and reduce detail as well, so your focus may have been ok. You've also processed this image very well, natural looking and good colour balance, so extra points for that! I'd say you had a very successful session with your new scope so here's hoping you'll be showing us a lot more of what it can do, maybe with the help of CC in the future
