Despite skipper and former Devon all-rounder John Tierney producing yet another spectacular display of hitting, a weak Ottery St Mary 3rd XI slipped to defeat as they completed their season against high flying visitors, Cullompton, writes Ian Townsend.

After teenage seamer Tom Jeacock held a return catch to send back visiting opener Steve Paul (0), highly promising young paceman Luke Tierney (4-11) plunged the visitors in to trouble with an impressive four wicket burst.

Mark Mortiboys (12) and old hand Malcolm Pavier (10) were both bowled and Guy Durrant (6) and Ollie May (20) fell to catches by Guy Peters and Megan Thompson-Summers respectively.

Jake Tierney bowled Zane Hussein (7) to leave Cully at 89-5 before a fine 41-run seventh wicket stand between David Sapiecha and Todd Scrace pulled things around for the visitors. Guy Peters’ return catch removed Sapiecha (26), but Scrace found a useful ally in Nathan Jenner (14*) as he crafted a solid unbeaten 36 (four 4s) to guide his side to a modest 169-8.

Cully seamers Scrace and Graham Bowles wreaked havoc as the Otters replied. Opener Tom Peters’s nine was the highest score amongst the top seven batsmen with Scrace claiming two wickets (2-21) and Bowles three as the total plunged to 44-9!

The home side did not help themselves as Anthony Dean (4) and Brad Upchurch (0) both fell to run outs but when all seemed lost, John Tierney embarked upon a remarkable last wicket stand with elder son, Jake.

With stoic support from Tierney junior (one not out from 46 balls), the big right hander went on the rampage.

Four sixes and nine fours flowed from the former Premier League star’s bat as he raced to 80 from just 55 balls before, to the visitors huge relief, he was bowled by May to consign the Otters to a 48-run reverse.

However, a fifth placed finish represents a good effort by Tierney’s side in just their second season in the league and the stated aim of giving more young players experience of senior cricket has once again been admirably fulfilled.