Ottery Under 13s completed a clean sweep of their undefeated season when they landed the County Sports Trophy to add to their Bradleys East Devon Youth League title win.
What’s more, the young Otters completed the league and cup double in some style, defeating Topsham by nine wickets in the cup final played at the home of Cullompton CC.
After a number of cancellations owing to inclement weather, the cup final eventually took place on the all-weather wicket at Cullompton.
The ground staff at the Mid Devon ground deserve much praise for the three youth finals all took place on the Sunday, this despite the rain that fell the day before!
For several members of the Ottery Under-13s it was their second final appearance of the day for a number had been part of the successful Ottery side that had lifted the Under-12 cup with success over Exeter.
Ottery skipper Matt Jeacock lost the toss and it was Topsham who opted to bat first.
Despite losing the toss the Otters were undaunted and it was a Man of the Match performance from Joe Hynam that ended with the Tops being bowled out for just 68 in only 14 overs!
Young Hyman, despite carrying a niggling injury, bowled superbly to claim a ‘fivefer’ and return the mighty impressive figures of 5-15 from his four overs.
There were two wickets also for Joe Brooks and Under-11 age qualified player Jonathan Triner along with some tremendous support fielding and catching together with a smart run out and two ‘lightning-quick’ stumpings carried out by Lawrence Walker.
It was ‘Mr Reliable’, Lawrence Walker who led the run chase as he again moved the all around the Cully pitch to great effect before returning having reached the mandatory retirement score of 40. Ben Lawler also contributed before Ollie Olliff and Ollie Brealy saw the Otters to an empathic victory with the win sealed with a full 11 overs remaining!
After the game, Ottery Under-13 manager Mark Tyler was full of praise for his team. He said: “To win all 14 of our league and cup games this season is some achievement. However, the most important thing is that they have enjoyed their cricket, learned a lot, and played in a sportsmanlike way.
“They are a talented group of players and it has been a pleasure watching them flourish.”
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