Sidmouth Seagulls launched their Under-19 T20 cup campaign with a seven run victory over Ottery Cloggers at Fortfield.

Batting first, the Seagulls were quickly into their stride with Harvey Sargent and Dan Powell striking the ball to all parts. They put on 70 in just 65 balls when Powell was run out for a 29-ball knock of 35.

Henry Gater joined Sargent, but he was soon back in the pavilion after becoming the first of three of Tom Jeacock’s victims.

The Gater wicket sparked something of a collapse as three wickets fell in the 12th over.

Crucially, from a home point of view, Sargent was still there and he went on to register a slick 44-ball half century before retiring to the pavilion to give someone else a go! Wes Holmes was the third and final Sidmouth batter to record a double figure score – he was caught and bowled by George Southall-Brown for 12.

A total of 134-7 was not as many as it might have been on another superb Fortfield batting track and the Ottery bowlers deserve much credit for their efforts. None more so than Tom Jeacock who sent down his four overs for just 18 runs and he claimed three wickets.

The Cloggers reply was given a terrific start as Billy Reed and Billy Rudolph set about the Seagulls bowling.

The pair had put on 63 in just 51 balls when Rudolph was caught for a 26-ball knock of 28.

Reed fell in the next over for a 29-ball 34 and from there wickets began to fall at regular intervals.

Ollie Reed (10) and Tom Jeacock (14) gave hope top the Cloggers supporters, but the target was just too much with Cloggers closing on 127-8, just seven runs shy of the Seagulls score.

Byron Knowles took the Sidmouth bowling honours with figures of 3-14 from three overs and there were excellent figures produced by young Jordan Fowler (2-10 from three overs).

The teams will meet again in this four team competition.

Seagulls also face Bradninch Eagles and Exeter, home and away in this new ECB competition that got off to a cracking start at Sidmouth.