Boosted by a maiden century for the club from Rick Jackson, Ottery St Mary II cruised to a comfortable victory in last weekend’s clash with South Devon, writes Ian Townsend.

The popular middle order batsman harvested ten fours and two sixes as he guided the visitors to a total which was always going to be beyond their struggling hosts.

Ottery recovered from the early loss of Billy Rudolph (5) as Trevor Griffin (29) and Alex Clements (9) took the score to 45 before the latter was castled by impressive all-rounder Mike Smith. Griffin’s run out saw the Otters slump to 51-3, but Jackson then took part in two fruitful stands to propel the visitors to a competitive total.

First 81 runs were added with prolific skipper Rob Crabb (42 from 45 balls), then, after three more quick wickets, a further 90 were added in just nine overs with former skipper Gavin Iley who rolled back the years to hammer 33 not out from 26 balls. Jackson looked in fine form throughout, pacing his innings well to reach three figures shortly before the Otters closed on 258-7.

As South Devon replied, Crabb claimed the early wicket of Kevin Murphy (7) courtesy of Jackson’s slip catch and consistent youngster Rudolph (3-33) induced Matt Blackmore (26) to edge behind to Griffin. Smith and Neil Matthews (30) complied a useful 74-run stand in 16 overs before left arm spinner Duncan Bradshaw-Smith trapped the latter who was pouched by George Southall-Brown. After Smith’s fine 58 (eight fours, two sixes) was ended by Clements’ catch off Southall-Brown, the innings went into decline with regular wickets falling, including a rare victim for Iley, as South Devon came up short on 203-9.

Reflecting on proceedings, vice-captain Jackson commented: “It’s great to finally get my first ton for the club and I do feel in pretty good nick. Our fielding was perhaps a little below its normal standards, but we went about our business pretty well after a slow start – it was a workmanlike performance”.

Ottery St Mary 258-7 (R Jackson 109*, R Crabb 42, G Iley 33*, T Griffin 29, J Allen 2-59) South Devon 203-9 (M Smith 58, N Matthews 30, M Blackmore 26, B Rudolph 3-33, D.Bradshaw-Smith 2-35). Ottery St Mary (19pts) bt South Devon (8pts) by 55 runs.