The continuation of their recent excellent form last weekend saw Ottery St Mary 2nd XI leapfrog visitors, Ipplepen as a comfortable victory lifted Rick Jackson’s men to fourth in the A Division table, writes Ian Townsend.

After a tight bowling display and sharp ground fielding had restricted the visitors to a modest total, fluent knocks from Dan Jeacock, Alex Clements and Trevor Griffin saw the Otters cruise to an eighth win of the season.

Fine bowling from Joe Birch and Tom Hinch restricted Ipplepen to a slow start, just 24 runs accruing from the first 10 overs, although visiting openers, Tom Cooper and old hand Steve Harris (8) took their solid stand to 47 before the latter was bowled by George Southall-Brown (1-21). Thirteen year old Ben Forsey then leant impressive support to Cooper who passed 50 (eight fours) but was soon bowled by Jeacock for 55. 91-2 was as good as it got for the visitors who soon declined to 117-6 as both Ed Fowler (2-31) and the rather erratic Sam Lynch (2-24 from three overs) each claimed a brace of wickets, the latter bowling Forsey to end his sound innings at 23. Birch and Hinch returned to great effect to deservedly clean up the tail as the last four wickets fell for the addition of just 12 runs. Hinch (1-30) had Jon Norman (0) pouched by Jackson whilst the impressive Birch removed Alan Boon (8), smartly stumped by Trevor Griffin, Steve Forsey (16), caught by Lynch and last man Jasper Heaver, bowled for a duck to return an excellent 3-17 from 8.2 overs. 149 all out was poor total on a good batting track.

As the home side replied, Ed Fowler (12) was an early casualty, bowled by Norman, but teenage opener, Jeacock, and prolific vice-captain Alex Clements then batted in untroubled fashion to add 44 in 12 overs before the former swung wildly at Harris (2-24) to be bowled for a well-crafted 39 (four fours). Former skipper Gavin Iley (8) soon departed in identical fashion to leave the home side at 87-3, but the arrival of the in-form Griffin saw the contest slip away from the visitors. The powerful right hander cashed in on some ill-directed bowling to register a fluent, undefeated 37 (four fours and a six) from 39 balls and with Clements (41* from 78 balls) playing a solid sheet anchor role, the Otters cruised home with eight overs to spare.

Ipplepen 149 (T Cooper 55, B Forsey 23, J Birch 3-17, S Lynch 2-24, E Fowler 2-31) Ottery St Mary 152-3 (A Clements 41*, D Jeacock 39, T Griffin 37*, S Harris 2-24). Ottery St Mary (20pts) bt Ipplepen (3pts) by 7 wkts.