Ottery St Mary’s young cricketer Lawrence Walker has won the Devon batting award for his age group for the third year in a row, writes Conrad Sutcliffe.

Walker, who plays for Devon U12s, topped the stats in the season just ended with 340 runs at an average of 57.

Nearly 300 people – players, friends and parents – packed the functions suite at Exeter Chiefs’ stadium for the presentations.

All sections of Devon cricket were represented, from the Under-10 boys, through ladies and girls’ cricket up to the Devon Minor Counties side.

Honeymooning county captain Josh Bess from Sidmouth was named player of the year. Brother Zac, last year’s winner, collected the trophy on his behalf.

Mark Tyler, the former television presenter compared the event, assisted by Exeter Chiefs scrum-half Jack Maunder.

Tyler is a cricket coach at Ottery St Mary, where son James plays.