A tremendous display of hitting by Alex Tubbs, coupled with a fine display of bowling and fielding, saw Ottery St Mary 2nds claim a stunning victory on their visit to much fancied Cornwood, writes Ian Townsend.

Particularly pleasing for the many dedicated people who work behind the scenes at the Salston Field academy will be the fact that four players aged fifteen or under played prominent roles in this success.

Fourteen year old Billy Rudolph and veteran opener Barry Flicker saw off some probing home bowling to post a useful 33 run opening stand before, not for the first time, an Ottery batting line up was made to struggle by a female Cornwood bowler.

Youngster Jesse Jones saw her fine nine over spell of off spin rewarded with three wickets (3-34) as first Rudolph (18) offered a return catch, Phil Taverner (9) was caught in the deep and Flicker’s long vigil was ended at 33, courtesy of a catch by Phil Bees. Newly appointed skipper Rob Crabb struck a useful 20 and his predecessor Gavin Iley a quick-fire 15 but this was merely the hors d’oeuvres to a feast of fireworks from the powerful Tubbs. In a display of characteristically clean hitting, the young all-rounder savaged the home attack to the tune of six fours and five sixes in his unbeaten 76 with Bees, whose five overs went for 56 runs, coming in for particular punishment. The visitors had piled on no less than 100 runs in their final nine overs to reach an above par 190-6.

Fifteen-year-old seamer Rob Southall-Brown made an early inroad into the Cornwood reply having Chris Horton caught for a duck by Crabb at cover but then Rob Adams and particularly Lee Richardson batted well to compile a useful stand. However, after Richardson (43) had launched Southall-Brown for two sixes, he miscued to sky a return catch to the youngster who held on well. The home side were now on the slide. Rudolph claimed his maiden Ottery league victim as he induced Adams (19) to edge behind to Flicker before Crabb bowled both Jesse Jones (0) and Bill Griffiths (3) in his first over. Bees (11) and Graham Jones (13) then seemed to play just to occupy the crease but left arm spinner Tom Whittington was bowling well on his first league appearance for some time and he duly broke the stand by bowling the latter. Rudolph (3-11) claimed two further scalps to complete a fine all round performance, Southall-Brown completed the run out of Les Petheridge and fellow youngsters Tom Hinch (five overs nought for five) and Harry Peters, who fielded splendidly throughout, all shone as the Otters clinched a conclusive 67-run victory.

A delighted visiting skipper commented: “All of the youngsters contributed really well. There was some great bowling and terrific fielding, especially from young Harry (Peters) but Tubbsy was definitely the difference between the sides. We couldn’t have asked for a better start the season!”.

Ottery St Mary 190-6 (A.Tubbs 76*, B.Flicker 33, R.Crabb 20, J.Jones 3-34) Cornwood 123-9 (L.Richardson 43, B.Rudolph 3-11, R.Crabb 2-33, G.Southall-Brown 2-39). Ottery St Mary (18pts) bt Cornwood (4pts) by 67 runs.