Matchday 13 of the Tolchards Devon league was a washout with just two matches – one 1st XI and one 2nd XI – being played to a conclusion across the entire league.

The only matches to be played through to stumps were the 2nd XI game at Braunton where Ottery St Mary became the first team this season to lose to the hosts, and they also played at Hatherleigh where the A Division title-chasing home side was surprised by visiting Budleigh.

The Otters travelled to Braunton looking to continue their 2nd XI A Division season.

They were invited to bat first by the home side and were promptly bowled out for just 74 in 32.1 overs.

Eddie Rudolph was the stand-out performer for the Otters.

The youngster faced two-thirds of the bowling that Braunton delivered. Rudolph was at the wicket to face 68 deliveries from which he mustered an unbeaten 15 – that the only score into double figures from the Otters.

The ‘best of the rest’ were contributions of seven from the bats of opener Richard Lock and number seven batsman Jack Dallyn.

Braunton needed just 12.5 overs to race to victory. However, the Otters did pick up a bowling bonus pointy thanks to a two wicket haul for Thomas Hinch who sent down 6.5 overs and returned figures of 2-38.

One of the wickets was clean bowled and the other was a catch from Eddie Rudolph, completing a fine all-round effort from the young wicket-keeper batsman.

With five games of the league season to go the Otters remain third from bottom and so occupy one of the three relegation berths in the table.

They sit 27 points from safety with Abbotskerswell the nearest team to them. They entertain Heathcoat on Saturday (August 5) before travelling to Sandford and the facing Abbotskerswell on August 19.