Ottery St Mary 2nds maintained their challenge at the top of the B Division with a routine win over a weak Cornwood 3rd XI side, writes Ian Townsend.

An excellent collective effort from the home bowlers shot out the visitors for a modest total after which solid batting from openers Ed Fowler and Billy Rudolph set things up for the Otters who cruised to victory with seven wickets and 19 overs to spare.

Tight opening spells from Alex Tubbs and George Southall-Brown restricted Cornwood to just 15 runs from the opening eight overs and, when skipper Rob Crabb was introduced into the attack, he castled Ben Griffiths (8) with his first ball

Ryan Adams (4) fell to a fine catch by Duncan Bradshaw-Smith, who clasped a full blooded drive off Southall-Brown, before brief resistance from Nick Goodliffe and Saqib Hassan (23) took the total to 45. The latter fell to a catch at the wicket by Trevor Griffin off Crabb (2-12) and, after Goodliffe and skipper Phil Bees had taken the total to 63, Goodliffe (13) became the first of three victims for left armer Zac Johns (3-27), Griffin holding a second catch behind. When left arm spinner, Bradshaw-Smith (3-21) took advantage of helpful conditions to claim three late wickets, Cornwood had slipped to 89-9 before a defiant last wicket stand between Craig Follett and Fran Adams (8) took the score to 123. Southall-Brown (2-19) wrapped up the innings, courtesy of a catch by Alex Clement,s with Follett remaining unbeaten on a fine 35 (seven fours).

Erstwhile 1st XI batsman Fowler and emerging talent Rudolph gave the Otters a fine start in reply as they compiled an untroubled 64 run stand in 15 overs. Fowler’s characteristically fluent innings of 48, which contained ten boundaries, ended as he was bowled by Luke Hill but Rudolph continued to bat in assured fashion as he took the total to 98 in the company of fellow teenager Harry Conway.

Off-spinner Hassan (2-26) removed Conway (19), caught by Ryan Adams, and Southall-Brown, bowled for a duck with a big-turning off break, but that was a good as it got for the visitors as Rudolph (37 not out with six fours) and Griffin (17*) guided the Salston Field side home.

Cornwood 123 (C Follett 35*, S Hassan 23, D Bradshaw-Smith 3-21, Z Johns 3-27, R Crabb 2-12, G Southall-Brown 2-19) Ottery St Mary 127-3 (E Fowler 48, B Rudolph 37*, S Hassan 2-26). Ottery St Mary (20pts) bt Cornwood (2pts) by 7wkts.