Lawrence Walker top scored with 48 as Ottery St Mary 2nd XI went down in their opening Tolchards Devon League E Division East game of the new season.

Hosts Sampford Peverell and Tiverton batted first and made their way to 224 from 41.1 overs.

The Ottery bowling honours were shared around with Daniel Jeacock taking top billing with his return of 3-39 from nine overs while George Mutter’s return was 3-47 from seven overs. Others to take wicket were: Jack Dallyn (2-25 from 8.1), Matt Jeacock (1-12 from two) and Ashok Prasad (1-46 from six). Ottery lost three early wickets; Dan Jeacock (4), James Anderson (0) and Richard Jackson (4) with only 13 on the board. They recovered thanks to Lawrence Walker and George Mutter (12) who took the reply to 54 before Mutter became the fourth wicket. Steve Walker and son Lawrence put on 49 for the fifth wicket which was that of young Lawrence, but not before he had chalked up an impressive 48 from 87 balls with six fours.

Bob Dormer joined Walker senior, but they were parted at 114, with Walker out for 19. Dormer’s 18 was the last double figure score as Eddie Rudolph (9), Jack Dallyn (1) and Ashok Prasad (0 ) all perished leaving Matt Jeacock as the not out batsman on 0 with the Ottery reply 142 from 41.1 overs, leaving the home side winners by 86 runs.

Skipper Richard Jackson was pleased with his side’s efforts in the opening game of a new Tolchards Devon League season.

Ottery 2nds are now coming up against the 1st XIs of other clubs in the new all-through Devon League and, based on what he saw in the first game, away at one of the 1st XI teams – Sampford Peverell and Tiverton –Jackson said: “There are plenty of positives to take from the overall performance.

“We were not well prepared as, with all the wet weather, it was something of a novelty playing on grass!

“Speaking with some of their [Sampford Peverell and Tiverton] players, I got the impression they fancy they are going to do well at this level this season and, if that is the case, then I don’t think we are going to find life a real struggle. Far from it, we have some good young players and there are more yet to get involved as the season develops.

“Of course, playing 1st XIs is going to present the occasional challenge, but it’s all good grounding for the younger players.”