Ottery St Mary brought to an end their recent poor form in the C Division East with an emphatic victory, beating hosts Clyst Hydon by a margin of 182 runs.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Ottery skipper Will Harrison saw both openers, Alex Clements (4) and Oliver West (17) both returned to the Merryfield pavilion before 30 runs were on the score board.
Joe Henkus joined Dan Flower and they took the total to 105 when Flower became the third man down, bowled for 41.
Rob Johns was next in – and out – bowled for 10 with the total then 134-4. Henkus was joined by Jack Malden and the pair batted superbly together adding151 for the fifth wicket before Henkus fell, just one big hit away from a century, bowled for 94.
Jody Clements became the sixth wicket when he was caught for one with the total then 294-6 and the last wicket to fall was that of Henkus, but not before he had seen the total past 300. Henkus was finally out for a wonderful 113 as Ottery closed on 340-7 from their 42 overs, with the not out batsmen being Richard Jackson (15) and George Southall-Brown (6).
As if to underline it was ‘his day’ Malden was given the new ball and he swiftly removed home opener Sean Devine for four with the reply on 12.
Malden then quickly claimed two more wickets to reduce Clyst Hydon to 26-3 and, when Oliver West struck, the reply was four wickets down with just 33 runs on the board. The next wicket saw the home score doubled, but they were parted when wicket keeper Alex Clements held a catch off George Mutter and it was soon 98-7 before the Clyst Hydon tail rallied to leave the home side closing on 158-9 after their 42 overs. All six of the Ottery bowlers used bagged at least one wicket, but it was Malden’s 3-17 return from nine overs that completed a fine day for him – and the Otters.
The win sees Ottery move 41 points clear of the bottom three with five games to go. On Saturday travel to Budleigh Salterton 2nds.
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