Handicapped by a significant gulf in experience compared with local rivals Budleigh, an Ottery St Mary 2nd XI containing seven teenagers slipped to a heavy defeat in last weekend’s derby clash at Ottermouth, writes Ian Townsend.

After a century from opener Ian Messom boosted the home side to an imposing near 300-run total, the Otters top order was blown away by home pacemen Chris Batten and Charles Parkin who bagged six wickets between them as the visitors suffered a 181 run reverse.

Tom Jeacock gave Ottery an encouraging start by claiming the scalp of Steve Booch (9), courtesy of a catch at the wicket by skipper Alex Clements.

However, Messom and Parkin then set the tone for the remainder of the innings by compiling an impressive 97-run stand in just 16 overs. Parkin (41) became the first of two victims for Rob Johns who accepted a return catch, but the scoring continued unabated as Messom and James Doble added another 70, Messom completing a fine hundred (18 fours) shortly before falling to a catch by Tom Jeacock off Johns (2-53).

Ben Carter kept the scoreboard ticking as he posted a near run-a-ball 51 not out (five fours), sharing productive late innings stands with Doble (26) and James Taylor (27) and propelling Budleigh to 297-5 from their 45 overs. Fourteen-year-old George Mutter’s 1-21 from five overs stood out amongst the Otters’ bowlers.

A terrific opening spell from Parkin soon plunged the Otters’ reply into disarray as Clements (7) was pouched by Ben Carter and Dan Jeacock pinned lbw without troubling the scorers. After brief resistance from Johns (13) and Harry Conway (10), the carnage resumed as the former was bowled by Parkin and the latter caught off Batten.

Alex Tubbs, caught off Parkin (4-34) and Tom Jeacock, trapped lbw by Batten (2-26), also registered ducks as the visitors plunged to 40-6. Mutter and former captain and old warhorse, Gavin Iley restored some semblance of respectability by compiling the only substantial partnership of the innings.

Fifty two were added in 11 overs, with the impressive Mutter registering three fine boundaries off Batten, before Iley (25) was caught by James Leat off Joe Marley. Leat (3-15) wrapped up affairs by bowling Mutter (20) and Tom Hinch (6), then sending back Luke Tierney (6) via a catch from Batten as the Otters closed on a disappointing 116 all out. Thirteen year old Eddie Rudolph remained unbeaten on eight not out.

Budleigh 297-5 (I Messom 104, B Carter 51*, C Parkin 41, A Taylor 27, J Doble 26, R Johns 2-53) Ottery St Mary 116 (G Iley 25, G Mutter 20, C Parkin 4-34, J Leat 3-15, C.Batten 2-26). Budleigh (20pts) bt Ottery St Mary (4pts) by 181 runs.

Otters Man of the Match – George Mutter