Ottery St Mary 1st XI are still awaiting their first victory of the new league season after the long trip to South Devon resulted in a comprehensive 83-run defeat to Kingsbridge on a day when all aspects of the Salston Field outfit’s game were under par, writes Ian Townsend.

Loose opening bowling and dropped chances once again saw Ottery suffer at the hands of King’s opener James Fletcher who posted an opening stand of 110 with partner James Westlake (60) followed by a further 73 with Bhuna DeSilva (40) and, with the score at 183-2 in the 31st over, a very large total appeared to be on the cards. However, after young left armer Zac Johns produced a terrific in-swinging yorker to end Fletcher’s knock at 72, the visiting attack began to exercise a measure of control. Off spinners Lewis Townsend (2-47) and Adie Pullin (2-56) bowled steadily and veteran seamer Mark Woodman (2-31), who was deriving considerable movement from a green track, returned to good effect claiming two deserved late scalps as only 31 runs were added in the last 10 overs. Nevertheless, 236-9 represented an imposing total.

Dan Flower (9) and Ed Fowler (16) gave the Otters a reasonable a 25-run start in reply but when the former played all around a straight ball from Neal Peach, the latter fell lbw to DeSilva and Phil Cox was trapped lbw by Peach for a duck, Ottery were in the mire at 29-3. Woodman and Townsend at least then produced some resistance with an excellent half century stand, the former playing an anchor role and the latter some fine drives, but after Townsend (29) was trapped lbw by Will Pyke, the writing was on the wall for the visitors. Woodman (41) and Alex Clements took the score to 126 but then a late order collapse saw the Otters crash to 153 all out. This third successive defeat leaves Ottery second from bottom of the embryonic league table and they will be desperate to get their season on the road with victory against fellow strugglers, Ipplepen in this Saturday’s clash at Salston Field.

Kingsbridge 236-9 (J.Fletcher 72, J.Westlake 60, B.De Silva 40, M.Woodman 2-31, Z.Johns 2-35, L.Townsend 2-47, A.Pullin 2-56) Ottery St Mary 153 (M.Woodman 41, L.Townsend 29, W.Pyke 4-33, B.De Silva 2-27, D.Hardy 2-30, N.Peach 2-35). Kingsbridge (20pts) bt Ottery St Mary (5pts) by 83 runs.