Trevor Griffin struck a magnificent 97 as Ottery St Mary 2nd XI continued their impressive start to life in A Division with a straightforward victory over visiting Ipplepen, the Otters chasing down a below par total with a whopping 11 overs to spare, writes Ian Townsend.

Visiting openers Steve Harris and Andy Tuckett (40) gave their side a very solid start in the form of a 66-run stand complied in 16 overs before the latter was caught by skipper Rick Jackson off the bowling of debutant, Richard Reed. The ex-Yarcombe man produced an impressive spell, conceding just 16 runs from nine well directed overs and although Ipplepen stood on the threshold of a competitive total with the score on 133-2 and a full 13 overs remaining, the Otters produced some terrific bowling at the death to restrict the South Devon side to 189-9 from a full 45 overs. Teenagers, George Southall-Brown and Ollie Reed bowled with admirable control, the former claiming the important scalp of visiting skipper Simon Tapley, who was bowled for 13, before the experienced Alan Boon (1) fell in similar fashion to Ollie Reed. Southall-Brown ended Harris’s long vigil at 55, compiled from 151 balls, courtesy of a catch by Steve Forbes, before bowling Jon Sewell (0) then inducing Callum King (6) into giving a catch to Phil Taverner. Ollie Reed (2-24) rounded off affairs as Southall-Brown caught Keith Bell (13). Southall-Brown returned an impressive 4-42.

Ed Fowler and Harry Conway began the Ottery reply in very positive fashion, both producing some fine drives as 42 were added in just seven overs before Fowler (22) was caught & bowled by John Heaver. Without further addition, Conway (13) was castled by left arm spinner, Harry Lewsis’s first delivery but that was as good as it got for Ipplepen as the experienced duo of Griffin and Taverner cashed in on some loose bowling to power their side to victory with a terrific 143-run stand. Taverner (37 not out) played a sound supporting role as Griffin blasted fifteen fours and three sixes to reach 97 from just 94 balls faced before a magnificent catch in the deep off Heaver (2-30) denied him a richly-deserved century.

Skipper Jackson afterwards lauded his attack, enthusing: “The bowling at the death was terrific – they were 107-1 but Ollie and George were fantastic and Rich Reed was excellent in the middle overs. And then Trev batted really well – it was a very structured innings and he took full advantage of what was on offer”.

Ipplepen 189-9 (S.Harris 55, A.Tuckett 40, G.Southall-Brown 4-42, O.Reed 2-24) Ottery St Mary 193-3 (T.Griffin 97, P.Taverner 37*, E.Fowler 22, J.Heaver 2-30). Ottery St Mary (21pts) bt Barton (5pts) by 7 wkts.