Ottery St Mary petanque team continued their superb start to the season with a third successive Devon League victory courtesy of a 3-2 win at Honiton, writes Dave West.

What made the success all the more admirable was that team changes were made and yet the winning streak continued!

The contest was played out in glorious spring sunshine at Honiton Petanque Club and the opening triples saw John Thatcher, Peter Smith and Clive Essame secure a 13-9 victory over home triple, Cecily Young, Tony Prior and Larry Halliwell.

The hosts hit back with victory in the second triple - Jenny Lavender, Chris Bigmore and Charlie O’Reily, defeating Dave West, Del Hanson and Paul Puddicombe 13-8.

The first of the doubles saw a new Ottery pairing – John Thatcher and Paul Puddicombe – defeat Cecily Young and Larry Halliwell 13-7.

The second doubles match saw another new Ottery pairing – Peter Smith and Clive Essame – defeat Honiton duo Tony Prior and Charlie O’Reilly.

With Ottery holding an unassailable 3-1 match lead, the final double contest was claimed by the home side with Ottery pair Dave West and Del Hansen edged out by the smallest of margins, a single shot at 13-12.

So final match score means that, three games into their Devon League campaign, the Otters have played three – all away from their Strawberry Lane home – and won all three to top the fledgling table.