Save the bus ticket to Headingley, if you wanted to see a master class in the art of wicket keeping this week then no need to travel to Leeds to watch Jonny Bairstow because Budleigh was the place to be as Ottery St Mary Under-11s took on Budleigh in a Bradleys East Devon Youth League match, writes Allen Morgan.

After winning the toss, skipper Ollie Olliff elected to bowl and Lawrence Walker showed that he could be a future Bairstow with a great performance behind the wickets stumping three unfortunate victims and then showing that he knows how to bat as well with a composed unbeaten 31.

This was another excellent team performance skippered by the impressive Olliff with debuts for Robert Boote and Kishan Prasad confirming that Ottery have strength in depth; both new players served up excellent bowling performances.

Will Crick was in blistering pace and caused no end of difficulties for the Budleigh batmen whilst Jake Swait chipped in with a frugal couple of overs. Two wickets from Freddie Eul-Barker, a wicket for Alex Glanville and solid fielding from Ottery, restricted Budleigh to 78 off their 20 overs.

Needing 85 to win Budleigh took the early wicket of Jason Ferguson who was bowled by ‘the-delivery-of-the day’ despite his best efforts to fend it out. Lewis Morgan and Lawrence Walker then set about chasing down the Budleigh total. In a composed innings the pair put on a solid 55 partnership before Walker retired unbeaten on 31. ‘JJ’ Dale entered the fray and with Morgan quickly rattled off the winning runs as Morgan ended unbeaten on 25 and Ottery clocking up an impressive 79 -1 off 14 overs.

The team are unbeaten now in three matches Ottery continue to improve each week and with debutants like Boote and Prasad now pushing for selection the team will go from strength to strength.

The team will face a stern test next as they face Exeter in the cup who will no doubt be seeking to avenge their earlier defeat this season in the league.