Ottery St Mary head into tomorrows Francis Clark Devon League C Division game at Clyst St George in no doubt as to the importance of the match, writes Stephen Birley.

Otters skipper Jody Clements said: “Despite the fact that It is only the sixth game of an 18 match season, there’s no escaping the fact that because both ourselves and Clyst St George are looking up the table at everybody else above us, the team that loses this one are going to face a really tough coming weeks.”

He continued: “I see this very much as a fixture which can kick-start our season. However, in order for us to be successful at Bohea Field we are going to need everybody on top of their game, that’s batters, bowlers and fielders. Typical of our early season form last Saturday against Chagford we were not far away from winning the game ourselves. The crucial factor were that we failed to build on the wonderful start given us by Lewis (Townsend) and John (Tierney) which meant we were 30 run shy of what would have been a match winning score and then we bowled some 30 wide’s which contributed to our downfall.”

All is not lost as there’s plenty of cricket to play and the spirit in the dressing room is upbeat and positive. All we need is a break and then I think we will see a very different Ottery St Mary.”

John Tierney misses the game tomorrow but Rob Johns, who was not on duty last weekend, returns.