The trip to Torquay proved to be a tough one as leaders Torquay handed a seven wicket beating to a youthful Ottery 2nd XI, writes Alex Clements.

Despite an innings which showed a great deal of application from Rob Johns and Tom Jeacock, the Otters never scored enough runs to trouble the home side.

After being inserted on a hard, green track, Ottery watched on as their top order was blown away by a strong opening bowling spell from Sunny Singh and Kenjie Matthews. Joe Henkus (0) was well caught in the slips, Alex Clements (1) was adjudged lbw and Henry Mutter (4) was also caught in the slips to Ottery on 24-3. This soon became 49-6 as Dan Jeacock top edged to square leg for a determined 14, Alex Tubbs (4) was caught behind and Gavin Iley (0) was cleaned up.

A stand of 59 between Johns and Jeacock brought the score up to respectability, the latter showing great application to reign in his attack nature and the former showing what an asset he can be with bat as well as ball.

Johns brought up a fine half century soon after a monstrous maximum into the road, but departed soon after for a well constructed 54. Sadly the innings subsided from here. Jeacock was caught at point for 21, Luke Tierney run out after attempting a second run that wasn’t there and Sam Brook was bowled to end the innings on 112.

The reply got off to a flying start due to a mixture of flamboyant batting and wayward bowling. However, Ottery got a foot back in the game when two wickets fell in quick succession.

Tom Jeacock produced an awkward back of a length delivery that Ollie Pitts could only edge to brother Dan at gully for 19 and then sent back first teamer Josh Hunt second ball, caught behind by 13-year-old Eddie Rudolph for a duck.

Sadly, the scoreboard continued to tick along quickly despite a number of edges, plays and misses and aerial shots. Despite a fantastic direct hit from Joe Henkus to run out remaining opener Tim Western for 35, the chase was never in doubt and Torquay raced home with over 20 overs to spare.

A tough day at the office for the second XI, but plenty of positives to takes from the result, great application from some of the younger batsmen, a positive and aggressive approach in the field and a solid display of wicket keeping from young Rudolph who looks to be a real star for the future.

This Saturday (July 16) the 2nds return to Strawberry Lane where they entertain Hatherleigh.

Ottery 112 (R Johns 54, T Jeacock 21, D Jeacock 14, K Matthews 3-16, I Baker 2-17, T Powell 2-20) Torquay 113-3 (T Western 35, O. Pitts 19, S Carpenter 16*, M McCann 15*, T Jeacock 2-50) Torquay (20pts) beat Ottery St Mary (3pts) by 7 wickets.