Ottery St Mary 2nd XI claimed an impressive first victory of the new season when the long trip to West Devon saw an Otters team containing no less than eight teenagers hand out a comprehensive beating to hosts, Hatherleigh, writes Ian Townsend.

Ottery St Mary 2nd XI claimed an impressive first victory of the new season when the long trip to West Devon saw an Otters team containing no less than eight teenagers hand out a comprehensive beating to hosts, Hatherleigh, writes Ian Townsend.

Paradoxically, for much of the visitors’ innings batting was a struggle in the face of impressive bowling from Jabez Weale (3-16) and Eddie Dumpleton (4-24). Despite useful knocks from opener Dan Jeacock (27) and Harry Peters (23), after 34 overs Rick Jackson’s men appeared to be behind the eight ball at 130-8. The match was transformed by a tremendous 76-run partnership between Frank Hartley and tail-ender Duncan Bradshaw-Smith. Returning opening bowler Lee Bonner, in particular, suffered at the hands of Hartley who unleashed a series of typically lusty blows to reach a maiden 2nd XI fifty at a run-a-ball (five fours and a six) whilst Bradshaw-Smith (15) played a mature supporting role before being bowled by Nick Rodgers. When George Southall-Brown was then run out for a duck, with Hartley unbeaten on 66, the Otters had posted a competitive 206 all out.

After paceman Tom Hinch had bowled Prince Joseph (4) in the first over of Hatherleigh’s reply, Jackson surprisingly chose to open with left arm spinner, Bradshaw-Smith (2-18), an inspired piece of captaincy which resulted in the wickets of Lee Bonner, bowled for four and Andrew Bennett (6) well held in the deep by Peters. From 17-3, the home side never recovered. The young Ottery attack was bang on the money and, backed up by terrific fielding, which produced two run outs, Hinch (2-24), Jeacock (2-11) and Southall-Brown (2-24) were all duly rewarded as Hatherleigh subsided to a pitiful 88 all out.

The Otters’ skipper was positively bursting with pride at the exploits of his youthful charges when he reflected: “At 100-odd for five it didn’t look too good, but then Frank and Duncan batted really well. Then we produced one of the best bowling and fielding performances I’ve seen in a very long time!”

Ottery St Mary 206 (F Hartley 66*, D Jeacock 27, H.Peters 23, E Dumpleton 4-24, J Weale 3-16) Hatherleigh 88 (D Jeacock 2-11, D Bradshaw-Smith 2-18, G Southall-Brown 2-24, T Hinch 2-24). Ottery St Mary (20pts) bt Hatherleigh (7pts) by 118 runs.

Otters Man of the Match – Frank Hartley