Two players at opposite ends of the age spectrum last weekend starred in Ottery St Mary 2nd XI’s merciless demolition of struggling Chudleigh, writes Ian Townsend.

In a contest reduced to 37 overs per side due to heavy lunchtime rain, seventeen-year-old Billy Reed struck a fine maiden league century to boost the Otters to a challenging total after which old hand, Rob Bradshaw-Smith produced a seam bowling master class as the visitors were despatched for just 81.

After Ottery had been inserted, miserly bowling by Graham Wilson initially restricted the scoring rate and, with the seamer claiming the early wicket of Richard Kitzinger, bowled for five, the opening eight overs yielded only 26 runs. However, after Wilson (1-16 from eight overs) was removed, runs began to flow. Ed Fowler played in typically expansive fashion, driving the ball powerfully to reach a half century containing nine fours and a six whilst Reed played a solid supporting role.

The stand had reached 120 from 23 overs when Fowler (64) was caught by Matt Ball off Jack Vittles, but after Reed reached a careful fifty (73 balls), he really began to open up, unleashing fine shots all around the wicket to race to his century with his second fifty coming from just 28 balls. Alex Clements was providing sound support and the young duo added 96 in just 10 overs before Reed’s fine knock ended at 108 (12 fours, two sixes) as he was bowled by Rich Harries. Clements remained unbeaten on a hard hitting 49 from 34 balls as the home side closed on an impressive 235-3.

Despite the early loss of Dan Lemarquand (6), bowled by swing merchant, Keith Biggs, the visitors’ reply reached 36-1 after 10 overs, but the introduction of Rob Bradshaw-Smith saw the wheels totally come off. Despite these days playing very little, ‘RBS’ showed his class by slotting into a characteristically immaculate line and length.

Five wickets claimed for just 16 runs in 8 overs saw Chudleigh plunge to a terminal 72-6. Wilson’s patient innings (41 balls) was ended at 20 as he was trapped lbw and the dismissal of Paul Horne (6) was a wholly family affair, courtesy of a catch by Duncan Bradshaw-Smith. Bradshaw-Smith junior’s bowling has improved markedly this term and the young left arm spinner soon came to the party by capturing the wickets of Harries (2), caught by Zac Johns, and Bradley Sercombe trapped lbw, to claim 2-21.

A second scalp for the accurate Biggs (2-13 from 8 overs) was followed by the coup de grace by teenage seamer Ollie Reed who removed last man Harrison Horne for a single as the Otters romped to a huge 154-run triumph.

This result cements the third-placed Otters’ position in the end of season shake-up and with looming clashes against Budleigh and Plymstock, the teams currently lying immediately above and below them in the table, these are exciting times for Rick Jackson’s men.

Ottery St Mary 235-3 (B Reed 108, E Fowler 64, A Clements 49*) Chudleigh 81 (G Wilson 20, R Bradshaw-Smith 5-16, K Biggs 2-13, D Bradshaw-Smith 2-21). Ottery St Mary (20pts) bt Chudleigh (1pt) by 154 runs.

Otters Man of the Match – Billy Reed