The handicap of fielding a painfully inexperienced team, including no less than eight teenagers, proved to be too big an ask for Ottery St Mary 2nd XI who suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of visiting Paignton II, writes Ian Townsend.

With the notable exception of a terrific spell from 15-year-old seamer George Mutter, a collectively erratic bowling display allowed the visitors to amass a challenging total which was well beyond the compass of a somewhat threadbare batting line up.

Paignton were given a solid start by openers Jason Woodcock and Mark Smith, the total reaching 30 before Woodcock (11) fell to a sharp catch by Jack Dallyn at point off Sam Brook.

Smith continued to despatch regular loose offerings and despite Sam Woodcock (8) departing to 14-year-old left armer, Ashok Prasad, the score passed 100 in the 21st over before Smith (45 with nine fours) was castled by Mutter’s first delivery.

Luke Medlock (26) unleashed some fine shots, but fell in identical fashion to the same bowler and visiting skipper, Tim Ward (0) then appeared a little unfortunate to be adjudged lbw to Mutter as Paignton slipped to 132-5.

However, with excellent support from impressive 14-year-old, Charlie Ward, Jamie Fuller then wrested back the initiative with an agricultural but highly effective assault.

The powerful middle order man reached a rapid half century (eight fours and a six) before being bowled by a well-disguised slower ball from Mutter (4-32) who was giving his colleagues a lesson in the virtues of line and length bowling.

Leg spinner Dallyn slowed the scoring, conceding only three runs in his final five overs, and Prasad (3-44) chipped in with two further wickets, but the wheels came off somewhat for the young Otters’ attack in the closing overs. An eye watering 43 extras, the majority of which were wides, inflated the visitors’ total to 231 all out.

The Ottery reply never really got off the ground as the Paignton attack, which itself featured a number of young bowlers, produced a much better directed display.

Luke Medlock (2-13) claimed the early scalps of openers Albie Southall-Brown (4) and league debutant Steve Walker (16) and when Archie Farkins (2-27) sent back Mutter (2) with a high looking full toss and bowled Eddie Rudolph (1), at 33-4 the home side were in a hole from which they never looked like escaping. After John Tierney (3) was unlucky to perish to a ‘shooter’, skipper Alex Clements (33) and Jeacock (15) briefly resisted with some fine shots, but when both were bowled by Sam Woodcock (2-21), the end was nigh and a chastening 130 run defeat soon followed.

Nevertheless, skipper Clements was afterwards keen to accentuate the positives as he reflected: “Whilst we need to bowl more consistently, I was pleased with way the guys stuck to the task and I was impressed with George, Ashok and Jack’s spells. Batting wise we really do need to tough it out though – make sure we use our overs and bat to a plan”.

Paignton 231 (J Fuller 56, M Smith 45, Extras 43, T Medlock 28, L Medlock 26, G Mutter 4-32, A Prasad 3-44) Ottery St Mary 101 (A Clements 33, R Medlock 2-8, L Medlock 2-13, S Woodcock 2-21, A Farkins 2-27). Paignton (20pts) bt Ottery St Mary (7pts) by 130 runs.

Otters Man of the Match – George Mutter