Boosted by fine all-round performances from Sam Lynch and Dan Jeacock, the trip to the delightful surroundings of Ipplepen saw Ottery St Mary 2nd XI claim a third victory of the season, writes Ian Townsend.

The visiting attack performed collectively well to take full advantage of bowler friendly conditions offering assistance to purveyors of seam, swing and spin.

Opening the bowling for the first time in a league match, despite a nervous start, Lynch claimed the early scalp of Callum Thomas (0) who hit a long hop to George Southall-Brown. Well supported by Tom Jeacock, Lynch then produced a well-directed eight over spell (1-23 from eight overs) and despite the hard hitting Matt Quartley and experienced Steve Harris crafting a good 70-run stand, the scoring rate remained modest. Southall-Brown ended Quartley’s pugnacious 61 with a fine yorker and spinners Dan Jeacock and Duncan Bradshaw-Smith utilised the responsive surface to good effect.

Dan Jeacock trapped Gareth Penrice (23) lbw and Bradshaw-Smith’s economical spell (1-20 from eight overs) was rewarded with the wicket of Harris (22), pouched by skipper Rick Jackson. Southall-Brown castled home skipper Simon Tapley (21), before running out Alan Boon with a fine direct hit from mid-wicket as Ipplepen closed on a vulnerable looking 170-7.

Dan Flower (7) was an early casualty of the Otters reply, driving too early at a delivery from impressive teenage seamer Benedict Forsey (1-27) to be caught at cover. Joe Henkus (13) and Alex Clements (11) were both bowled to leave Ottery at 57-3 before a solid stand between Dan Jeacock and fellow teenager Henry Mutter took the total to 92. Jeacock’s patient knock (39 in 25 overs with four fours) ended as he was trapped lbw by experienced seamer Harris who then bowled Mutter for a well-crafted 32 (five fours) and the visitors looked vulnerable at 111-5.

However, Lynch was looking in good touch and after a circumspect start, well supported by Jackson, he began to unfurl some typically wristy shots as 56 were added in good time before Jackson (23) was run out attempting an ill-advised single. Shortly afterwards Lynch (44* with four fours) despatched the boundary that clinched an ultimately comfortable four wicket victory with an over to spare.

The visiting skipper cut a satisfied figure as he enthused: “That was a really good win, an all-round disciplined performance. Lynchy (Sam Lynch) batted really well and his bowling was pretty handy too! A super all round performance by Dan (Jeacock) as well and I thought Dunc (Duncan Bradshaw-Smith) bowled beautifully – he was straight on the money”.

Ipplepen 170-7 (M Quartley 61, G Penrice 23, S Harris 22, S Tapley 21, D Jeacock 2-35, G Southall-Brown 2-44) Ottery St Mary 171-6 (S Lynch 44*, D Jeacock 39, H Mutter 32, R Jackson 23, S Harris 2-26). Ottery St Mary (18pts) bt Ipplepen (7pts) by 4 wkts.

Otters Man of the Match – Sam Lynch