Ottery St Mary 2nd XI recorded a second successive win in their Tolchards Devon League E Division East campaign as they defeated visiting Axminster 1st XI by five wickets.

Sidmouth Herald: Ottery 2nds at home to Axminster 1st team. Ref shsp 21 18TI 3807. Picture: Terry IfeOttery 2nds at home to Axminster 1st team. Ref shsp 21 18TI 3807. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Axminster batted first and were a wicket down before a run had been scored – Jack Dallyn taking a catch to give Dan Jeacock a wicket.

The next pair added 71 before Albert Southall-Brown broke the partnership with a straight delivery that hit the stumps.

Two more wickets fell in quick succession as Dallyn trapped the opener leg before, before then hitting the stumps to reduce Axminster to 82-4. The fifth wicket saw the visitors fight back as they added 70 until Jake Tierney was called into the attack and he made the all important breakthrough to leave the Axminster score 142-5, and it was soon 148-6 as Max Moore got the act of hitting the stumps.

Moore struck again and the final Axminster wicket was claimed by Albert Southall-Brown to leave the Axemen closing on 179-8 after their 45 overs.

Sidmouth Herald: Ottery 2nds at home to Axminster 1st team. Ref shsp 21 18TI 3807. Picture: Terry IfeOttery 2nds at home to Axminster 1st team. Ref shsp 21 18TI 3807. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

The run chase was given a superb start with openers Daniel Jeacock and Anthony Dean putting on exactly 100 before they were parted with Dean caught for a 71-ball knock of 40.

As so often happens in long partnership, both batsmen tend to follow each other back to the pavilion and, four runs after Dean was dismissed, Jeacock followed him having faced 72 balls, hitting five fours in a very good knock of 52.

Twenty-two runs were added before Eddie Rudolph became the third Ottery wicket, clean bowled for eight. Three runs were added before youngster Lawrence Walker became the fourth wicket to fall – in his case without troubling the scorers – and just a single run was added before the loss of Albert Southall-Brown, who was the last man out, caught for one.

When a five wicket win was confirmed with one over and four balls remaining, James Anderson was not out 15, and the other not out batsman was Tom Jeacock, who emulated his brother by also scoring a half century – his first in senior league cricket, with his contribution being a 54 ball, five boundary, unbeaten 51 as Ottery sealed victory on 183-5.

Sidmouth Herald: Ottery 2nds at home to Axminster 1st team. Ref shsp 21 18TI 3807. Picture: Terry IfeOttery 2nds at home to Axminster 1st team. Ref shsp 21 18TI 3807. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

So, two wins from three games in the new all-though league for the Ottery 2nds, who sit third in the early season table.

This Saturday (May 26), the Otters second XI travel to Kentisbeare 1st XI. On Saturday the Kents were handsome winners on their visit to Thorverton 2nd XI.

Sidmouth Herald: Ottery 2nds at home to Axminster 1st team. Ref shsp 21 18TI 3807. Picture: Terry IfeOttery 2nds at home to Axminster 1st team. Ref shsp 21 18TI 3807. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Ottery 2nds at home to Axminster 1st team. Ref shsp 21 18TI 3807. Picture: Terry IfeOttery 2nds at home to Axminster 1st team. Ref shsp 21 18TI 3807. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Ottery 2nds at home to Axminster 1st team. Ref shsp 21 18TI 3807. Picture: Terry IfeOttery 2nds at home to Axminster 1st team. Ref shsp 21 18TI 3807. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Ottery 2nds at home to Axminster 1st team. Ref shsp 21 18TI 3807. Picture: Terry IfeOttery 2nds at home to Axminster 1st team. Ref shsp 21 18TI 3807. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Ottery 2nds at home to Axminster 1st team. Ref shsp 21 18TI 3807. Picture: Terry IfeOttery 2nds at home to Axminster 1st team. Ref shsp 21 18TI 3807. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)

Sidmouth Herald: Ottery 2nds at home to Axminster 1st team. Ref shsp 21 18TI 3807. Picture: Terry IfeOttery 2nds at home to Axminster 1st team. Ref shsp 21 18TI 3807. Picture: Terry Ife (Image: Archant)