Ottery thirds see off Topsham St James with Dean in starring role
- Credit: Archant
A first home outing of the season for Ottery third eleven saw them to a 44 run win over Topsham St James seconds, writes Kit Richards.
The Otters won the toss and chose to bat on a fine afternoon, making first use of the green track. Openers Barry Flicker and Anthony Dean soon realised that runs would be hard-earned with the lush pastures of the outfield difficult to hit the ball through. Indeed, there was talk on the boundary of daisy chain making competitions being more fruitful.
Nonetheless, Dean looked resolved to bat for a long time and he formed a strong partnership with young George Mutter who came in at first drop following Flicker’s departure for 12.
Together they put on 95 for the second wicket before Mutter was unable to make his ground and was run out for a classy 28. Dean pressed on, passing his half-century, and enjoying the full spread of Topsham’s bowlers. His rich vein of form saw him eclipse his score from a week earlier (94) and then the 100 mark. Eventually caught at cover, Dean’s was a stylish innings which featured shots all around the wicket and, two games into the new term, he sports an average of 105.5.
Topsham rallied and their opening bowler Usman Sheikh returned to claim the last four Ottery wickets to leave the side 233 all out with still four of their 45 overs to be faced.
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When the visitors batted, Harry McNamara-Campbell bowled with pace, but little luck whilst his new ball partner Luke Tierney celebrated his 17th birthday with a magnificent tea-time cake and the first breakthrough, Harley Smith holding the catch at point.
Speedy left-armer Jack Webber produced some waspish deliveries and this was the chief reason for his two wickets, Smith pouching another catch and a fine low take from George Mutter behind the stumps.
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John Mutter bowled an accurate spell and this, combined with the good economy rates from the trio of young Ottery spinners, Jack Dallyn, Ethan Glanville and Smith, ensured that Ottery secured the win by 44 runs in spite of being unable to take more than four Topsham wickets, the pair of Sheikh and Neil Argyle both finishing unbeaten on 59.
Otters Man of the Match – Anthony Dean
