In a thrilling climax to a wonderful game of cricket, Ottery St Mary 2nd XI’s tenth wicket pair George Southall-Brown and Tom Hinch scrambled a last ball bye to hand their side a terrific win against Exeter 3rd XI, writes Ian Townsend.

After the visitors had posted a near 250-run total, the Otters were indebted to fine half centuries from Dan Flower, Alex Clements and Alex Thurgate to take them to the brink of victory before the tail enders’ heroics finished the job.

The ever reliable Hinch ended a useful 48-run opening stand from Naj Chowdery (19) and Sean Langford (26) as he capped a solid spell be inducing the latter to edge behind to Trevor Griffin before bowling the former. James Bovey posted a useful 32 for the visitors before being caught by Rick Jackson off left arm spinner, Thurgate (1-30) but from 108-4, Exe were boosted by a century stand between Chris Thackray and Brian Bosomworth. The experienced Bosomworth leant solid support as Thackray ‘teed off’ to hammer a rapid 68 from just 36 balls (seven fours and five sixes) before both men departed in quick succession. Bosomworth (36) was bowled to become the first of two scalps for Harry Peters (2-13) whilst Thackray was caught by Henry Mutter off Southall-Brown who then proceeded to clean up the tail to finish with 4-36 as the visitors totalled 247 all out, a score boosted by an eye-watering 44 extras!

The Ottery reply was given a flying start by Flower and Joe Henkus, 51 runs accruing from just eight overs before Henkus (10) carelessly flicked Bovey to Chowdery at square leg. However, the in-form Flower continued to blossom as he unleashed a series of characteristically powerful drives to reach 50 from 47 balls (six fours) whereupon he hammered a Bosomworth long hop to Mark Hepplewhite at mid-wicket. Griffin (9) soon fell to Bosomworth (2-36) but Thurgate and skipper Clements then embarked upon a wonderful century stand which set up victory. Thurgate was in fine form, timing the ball beautifully in typically wristy fashion to reach fifty from 57 balls (seven fours) whilst Clements began to despatch anything loose in pugnacious style to reach his own half century (76 balls, six fours). At 210-3 with seven overs remaining the home side appeared in control but with the stand at 124, both men departed in quick succession. Thurgate (60) miss-timed a drive to Langford off Jamie Fuller and after two more wickets quickly fell, the loss of Clements (73), whose cross batted slash off Fuller (4-36) flew to Langford at short third man, put Exeter in the box seat. However, a timely six from Zac Johns plus vital contributions from Peters (6) and Mutter (7) moved the Otters close enough for the last wicket pair to edge their side to a famous victory.

Exeter 3rd XI 247 (C Thackray 68, Extras 44, B Bosomworth 36, J Bovey 32, S Langford 26, G Southall-Brown 4-36, H Peters 2-13, T Hinch 2-49) Ottery St Mary 248-9 (A Clements 73, A Thurgate 60, D Flower 50, J Fuller 4-36, B Bosomworth 2-36). Ottery St Mary (20pts) bt Exeter (9pts) by 1 wkt.

Otters Man of the Match – Alex Thurgate.