Despite going down by two wickets to Barton in a thrilling contest, Ottery St Mary’s 2nd XI can take great pride in their performance.

With a bowling display that contained no less than nine maidens and three runs outs, there are plenty of signs for optimism for the season ahead.

After being invited to bat on a typically green looking May wicket, Ottery watched on in horror as Dan Jeacock was trapped leg before with the first ball of the innings by Tom Porter.

Surviving opener, Ric Jackson, and Albert Southall Brown comprised a useful partnership of 45 for the second wicket. Jackson looked solid, unleashing the shot of the day with an on drive four while Southall Brown showed the typical flamboyant strokes that saw him flourish last season in the 3rd XI.

It took the introduction of Adrian Lipton and Kyle Lardner to turn the tide as first Jackson (17) chopped on to give Lipton the first of his three wickets. Lardner then had Eddie Rudolph (1) caught behind and when Lipton cleaned bowled both Southall Brown (19) and Sam Brook (0) the Otters were staring down the barrel at 63-5.

Despite a brief resistance from captain Alex Clements (18), when he was adjudged caught behind off Lardner and Gavin Iley (4) was caught in the covers, Ottery were 91-7 and looking at a potential double figure score. The returning Jack Malden, and Luke Tierney pushed the score past 100.

The UWE student, returning after an absence of five years showed what he was capable of with some powerful offside shots which helped the visitors to an additional batting point.

Tierney (4) and debutant Aidan Pearcy (0) were soon bowled by Spencer and Jack Dallyn was caught behind off Porter to end the innings at 127.

This gave Ottery something to bowl at, but they knew it’d be a tall order especially as three overs were left on the board.

An accurate opening spell from Brook and Malden soon made inroads as Dale Adderly was caught well by wicket keeper Rudolph off Malden for just 5. The latter then claimed his second as Adam Latham (5) was well held in the gully by Jack Dallyn and when Brook proved too quick for Ian Jarman (18) who lobbed a catch to Southall Brown in the covers the hosts were 31-3. A partnership then built between Nathan Beech (27) and Porter (7) which put the home side firmly in control.

A change of pace saw the much needed breakthrough as Jeacock (1-14 off 9 overs) enticed Beech to launch one to deep wicket which Malden held onto (in a very unfortunate area!).

Porter was then run out thanks to a brilliant piece of fielding from Luke Tierney, who repeated the action later by sending back Cole Harford (15). In between there was a further wicket for Malden who castled Barry Shelton (6) and another run out when Jackson’s throw was too quick for Lardner.

Sadly this was as good as it got as the experience of captain Jim Parker (17*) saw his side home with an over to spare.

A brilliant contest proving that you don’t need lots of runs to have an exciting match.

Ottery can hold their heads high as they almost managed to defend a low total with some superb ground fielding that let nothing through and a tight bowling display. On Saturday (May 13) Ottery II host Paignton II at Salston Field.

Ottery St Mary 127 (J Malden 30*, A Southall-Brown 19, A Clements 18, R Jackson 17, A Lipton 3-14, G Spencer 3-22) Barton 128-8 (N Beech 27, I Jarman 18, J Parker 17*, J Malden 3-25, D Jeacock, S Brook 1-26)

Barton (19pts) beat Ottery St Mary (7 pts) by 2 wickets

Man of the Match: Jack Malden