A gloriously sunny evening saw the opening match of the season for Ottery St Mary U12s as they took on Sidmouth at Strawberry Lane.

It was the first game for the young Otters since being crowned East Devon Cricket League champions at the end of last season.

Ottery skipper Ollie Olliff won the toss and sent his batters out to enjoy the first of a splendid home wicket. Openers Sam Foster, making his debut for the team, and Ben Thomas, came up against some good Sidmouth bowling, but the batsmen were soon in charge and it was their contribution that gave the Otters a solid foundation for what would be a match-winning total.

Olliff performed a skipper’s role with confidence as he hit an unbeaten 32 before retiring and showing why he was the leading run scorer in the East Devon League last year.

Ben Thomas, who batted solidly throughout was unlucky to be eventually run out for 22.

Ted Benson and Lewis Morgan pushed up the run rate in the last few overs. Are there two quicker batsmen in the East Devon League than these two between the stumps?

There has clearly been some bowling practice going on in gardens and parks around East Devon because Ottery came out firing on all cylinders when it was their turn to bowl!

Wicket keeper Matt Jeacock was in excellent form and Will Crick was soon presenting Sidmouth with all sorts of difficulties with some very quick bowling.

At the other end Robert Boote and Joshua ‘JJ’ Dale gave the batsmen no respite as Sidmouth fought hard to get runs on the board.

Will Sheaves and Kishan Prasad demonstrated the depth in quality that Ottery have and took two very well deserved wickets apiece.

Kishan in particular served up a beguiling and confident display of spin, taking an excellent catch off his own bowling.

Sidmouth fought hard all the way and played with great spirit but the Ottery bowling coupled with a solid batting performance saw them to victory and a great start to the new season.