Fighting spirit, guts, application; expressions frequently used in describing Ottery St Mary 2nd XI’s rise to prominence over the last few seasons, but qualities sadly lacking as Rick Jackson’s men were given a cricketing lesson in last weekend’s A Division showdown with Budleigh at Salston Field, writes Ian Townsend.

The well drilled visitors’ fine all round display saw them emphatically clinch promotion whilst ruthlessly ending the Otters’ hopes.

Losing the toss and being inserted certainly didn’t feature in the Otters’ pre-match plans, and the foundations for a disastrous afternoon were soon laid as openers James Faulkner (0) and Richard Kitzinger (1) both departed to poor shots, wafting at short deliveries from the erratic but dangerous Joe Gore to edge behind to Dan Messom. Trevor Griffin (0) then appeared unfortunate to be adjudged lbw to Gore, despite a sizeable inside edge, as just 13 runs accrued from the opening 10 overs. Matt Murphy’s accuracy was rewarded with the wicket of Steve Forbes (2), who edged behind driving loosely, and when youngster Charlie Parkin took a terrific diving catch at mid-off to remove Jody Clements (4), shell-shocked Ottery stood at 18-5. Despite some typically gutsy resistance from Alex Clements, the procession of wickets continued as Rob Johns (3) gave Messom his fourth catch of the innings off White and Jackson (5) missed s straight one to be bowled by Sean Mills.

Alex Clements and Zac Johns briefly resisted, despatching one or two defiant boundaries, but when their stand reached 22, Johns (10) skied a slog to be pouched by James England at mid-on off White. At this juncture the buzzards circling over Salston Field were more akin to vultures, closing in to feast upon the carcass of the Otters’ promotion ambitions!

Alex Clements’s stubborn resistance (27 from 70 balls) was ended when White (4-23) claimed his fourth victim by defeating the Ottery vice-captain’s forward prod and when the returning Gore (4-14) castled a slogging Ollie Reed for a duck, the home side had been hustled out for a pitiful 71.

Parkin (2) was an early casualty as the Ottermouth men replied, edging a wideish Rob Johns out-swinger behind to Griffin. The giant paceman was delivering a fine spell with little luck but once White got into his stride; the visitors romped over the line, reaching 72-1 with a massive 31 overs to spare. The Budleigh skipper unleashed a number of fine drives, posting an unbeaten 45 (nine fours, 40 balls) as he led his men to a thoroughly deserved win.

Ottery St Mary 71 (A Clements 27, J Gore 4-14, L White 4-23) Budleigh 72-1 (L White 45*). Budleigh (22pts) bt Ottery St Mary (0pts) by 9wkts.