Fielding a side containing eight teenagers when tackling opponents who, last season, plied their trade in the Premier Division was far from an ideal state of affairs for Ottery St Mary 2nd XI and accordingly, last weekend’s trip to Tiverton Heathcoat saw the Salston Field side slip to a heavy defeat, writes Ian Townsend.

Having been inserted by Otters’ skipper Alex Clements, Heathcoat were given an excellent 74-run start by Steve Harding and Guy Bucknell which ended with left armer Zac Johns bowling the former for 33 in the 17th over.

However, despite steady spells from Johns and Tom Jeacock, the flow of runs continued unabated as Bucknell added a further 84 with Matt Parkes (30) before the latter was caught by Johns off Dan Jeacock. Tom Hinch ended Bucknell’s fine knock at 85 (12 fours, two sixes) and two further wickets quickly followed as Johns (2-44) castled Henry Frankpitt (16) and Will Thompson (3) was pouched by George Southall-Brown off the deserving Tom Jeacock (1-37) but, at 178-4 in the 37th over, Tivvy were well set. Youngster Sam Maunder took full advantage, guiding the home side to an imposing 254-5 with a fine 45-run onslaught featuring six boundaries from just 31 balls faced.

A solid start was essential as the Otters replied, but the visitors were soon struggling against the well-directed Tivvy attack. Harry Peters (8) was caught by Parkes off Matt Hodson and three more wickets rapidly followed, Joe Henkus (17) edging Thompson behind to Maunder before Dan Copp claimed the scalps of Dan Jeacock, bowled for three and Henry Mutter, castled for a duck, to leave the Otters struggling at 33-4.

However, with Clements playing in typically defiant fashion, 29 were then added in partnership with Richard Kitzinger (11) before the latter was caught by Hodson off Matt Williams. Frank Hartley soon became Thompson’s second victim but Johns then produced a typically explosive five boundary 20-run cameo before being bowled by Hodson (3-29). When the same bowler ended Clements’ 78 ball vigil (43 with seven fours) via an edge behind to Maunder, the end was nigh and, despite a breezy late innings 18 not out from Southall-Brown, returning opener Lee Dixon wrapped up the contest by trapping Tom Jeacock (1) lbw and bowling Tom Hinch (3) as the visitors limped to a disappointing 147 all out.

Tiverton Heathcoat 254-5 (G Bucknell 85, S Maunder 45*, S Harding 33, M Parkes 30, Z Johns 2-44) Ottery St Mary 147 (A Clements 43, Z Johns 20, M Hodson 3-29, W Thompson 2-22, L Dixon 2-25, D Copp 2-56). Tiverton Heathcoat (20pts) bt Ottery St Mary (4pts) by 107 runs.