Gutsy innings from three teenage batsmen were about the only seeds of comfort to be gleaned from a contest which saw Ottery St Mary 1st XI crumble to defeat.

Gutsy innings from three teenage batsmen were about the only seeds of comfort to be gleaned from a contest which saw Ottery St Mary 1st XI crumble to defeat, thus handing Uplyme the points required to secure their place in D Division of the Francis Clark Devon League for another season.

On a green top wicket, Uplyme seamer Adam Caddy soon accounted for Otters' opener Richard Townsend (1) who yorked himself in facing a full length leg stump delivery.

Teenage combination Charl Axsel and 1st XI debutant George Biggs fashioned an impressive partnership, the former displaying highly correct technique and the latter showing admirable composure in the face of a typically aggressive Ashley Caddy.

Uplyme change bowlers Steve Batey and Jamie Toates were bowling with admirable control, however, and, with the score on 61, the latter trapped Biggs lbw. Batey sent back Otters' vice-captain Jody Clements, caught at mid-off driving, and soon plunged the visitors into deep trouble by removing Axsel (33), Ollie Mann and Lewis Townsend, all caught by fielders behind the wicket attempting to drive on the difficult track.

Alex Clements, playing in only his second 1st XI game, batted solidly to rescue the Otters from the depths of 95-6, his unbeaten 33 containing 4 x 4s but, despite a late cameo from Rob Bradshaw-Smith (14), the returning Ashley Caddy promptly cleaned up the tail to sweep away the Otters for a disappointing 143.

Batey with 4-19 from 13 excellent overs was easily the pick of the home bowlers.

Otters' openers Mark Woodman and Will Harrison bowled tightly to restrict Uplyme to a very slow start - 10 runs from six overs - in reply, the latter trapping Sam Challis (5) lbw. The relegation threatened home side were boosted by a good stand between the ever reliable Derek Wellman and the aggressive Jed Whittington, before the deserving Woodman removed the former lbw for 34.

Whittington, though, was leading a charmed life as the Otters contrived to drop him on no less than four occasions, allowing him to accrue a precious 54 runs from 66 balls (5 x 4s, 1 x 6) before finally falling lbw to left arm spinner Martin 'Windy' Miller.

The in-form Ottery skipper was bowling well and, when he bowled Toates for duck, the home side were 112-4. However, this was to be the visitors' last success as the ubiquitous Caddy brothers posted a comfortable unbroken 32-run stand handing Uplyme an easy victory in the 39th over, Ashley remaining unbeaten on 22 and Adam on 13. Miller returned 2-19 with the frugal Woodman conceding just 29 from his 13 overs.

Francis Clark Devon League D Division

Ottery St Mary 143 (A Clements 33*, C Axsel 33, G Biggs 22; S Batey 4-19, Ashley Caddy 3-39) Uplyme 144-4 (J Whittington 54, D Wellman 34, Ashley Caddy 22*; M Miller 2-19).

Uplyme (18pts) bt Ottery St Mary (4pts) by 6wkts.