A visit to Sandford for Ottery St Mary Under-13s was rewarded with a good victory against a hard-working Sandford team in an East Devon Cup tie, writes Allen Morgan.
After an outstanding season last year when Ottery won the cup and were pipped for the league title on run rate, the team were eager to get back out and set the foundations for another exciting season.
Skippered by Freddie Eul-Barker, Ottery won the toss and brimming with confidence elected to bat and to put a decent score on the board.
Elliott Bowyer and Will Bolton set about the home bowling with confidence, both hitting some fine shots and clearly enjoying what they were doing!
The openers set the standard and it continued throughout the team and, thanks to a couple of imperious innings from Lawrence Walker and skipper Freddie Eul-Barker, the Otters were able to post a good score, setting the home side a 152-run target.
The Ottery attack is blessed with a fine mix of pace and swing bowling and they were soon into action claiming Sandford wickets.
There was also some terrific support fielding and excellent catching with Max Broomby keeping wicket, taking two good catches and putting in a sharp performance behind the sticks. It was bowler Will Sheaves who took the individual honours as he claimed three wickets for just 15 runs.
Sandford worked hard, but with regular wickets being taken they were always going to struggle and their reply closed on 91 after their 20 overs.
The victory sees Ottery through to the next round of the cup where they will either face Seaton or old rivals Exeter.
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