Kenn you believe it?

Excellent Ottery comeback as McKinney makes his mark in Bradleys East Devon Youth League victory

Ottery St Mary Under-11s continued their superb unbeaten season with a victory over Kenn, but it was certainly one of those ‘victory from the jaws of defeat’ occasions, writes Allen Morgan.

Ottery, skippered by Freddie Eul-Barker, won the toss and bagged an early wicket Will Crick proved that he’s ‘on fire’ with a run out followed by two wickets to take the sting out of the Kenn innings.

Ottery kept the pressure on as Lewis Morgan, Ben Thomas and Joe McKinney, the latter making his Otters debut, all claimed wickets.

Excellent bowling from Robert Boote, Joshua ‘JJ’ Dale and Kishan Prasad prevented Kenn from getting any momentum with the bat and, at the close of their 20 overs, had scored 89 runs.

Behind the stumps Jake Swait continued to show why he is one of the best stoppers in the East Devon league with some excellent glovework.

This season has proved that Ottery like to make games exciting, so it was perhaps no surprise that, after four overs, the reply stood at 9-3!

However, this Ottery side has resolve in abundance and Ollie Olliff knows how and when to hit a ball. Showing great composure, Olliff set about turning defeat into victory with an excellent innings before being dismissed for 29.

It was his innings that provided the inspiration for a terrific Otters comeback and, with further contributions from another debutant, Will Sheaves, Morgan, Thomas and skipper Eul-Barker Ottery were right back in it, the tide was turned and the Otters sensed another victory.

Fittingly, young McKinney, who had served up an impeccable debut, sealed victory in the 17th over with a sweeping four.

This was a hard fought victory that showed great character to turn a game round that could have so easily been the first defeat of the season. Much credit goes to the excellent leadership of Eul-Barker, but this was as much about teamwork as all of the players worked hard to maintain their winning run.