Post date: May 10, 2011 2:22:44 AM
YOUNGSTERS SHINE IN OPENING DAY THRILLER
By Ian Townsend
Francis Clark Devon League D Division
Ottery St Mary 221-5dec. (G.Biggs 106*, M.Kirk 30, J.Clements 25, S.Forbes 23, L.Jutson 2-66) Bridestowe 215 (T.Fogerty 47*, C.Ewen 40, P.Woods 27, N.Griffiths 25, P.Hatton 24, S.Loud 5-60, W.Harrison 3-64). Ottery St Mary (20pts) bt Bridestowe (7pts) by 6 runs.
Despite the ravages of the early season weather and the absence of key players on both sides, Ottery St Mary 1st XI and visiting Bridestowe produced a fascinating contest shaded by the home side as bad light and rain closed in. Hugely encouraging for followers of both clubs will be the fact that talented youngsters dominated the contest. Star billing goes to 17 year old Otters’ opener George Biggs, who struck his maiden league century, whilst team mate and Devon U-15 leg spinner Sam Loud claimed five wickets. And for the visitors 16 year old Tom Fogerty produced a fine all-round display, backing up a steady bowling spell with a terrific unbeaten innings of 47 as he shared a heroic but ultimately fruitless last wicket stand with No.11, Charlie Ewen.
Ottery were given a solid start by Biggs and Steve Forbes as, in contrast to Tom Fogerty’s tight opening spell (0-12 from 7 overs), left armer Mark Butler was struggling for line and length. The openers efficiently despatched the resultant loose deliveries as well as running particularly well between the wickets to post a stand of 58 before Forbes (23) was removed by the Jutson brothers, his sliced drive off Lee’s bowling flying to Ian in the gully. The incoming Matt Kirk was immediately on the attack, his run a ball 30 including a big six over extra cover. With Biggs batting in beautifully controlled fashion the 100 was passed in the 23rd over before Kirk miscued the hard working Butler to Trevor Oats at cover. Home skipper Jody Clements then assumed the aggressor’s role, reaching 25 from just 18 balls (4 x 4s, 1 x 6) before he was deceived and bowled by a full length Lee Jutson outswinger. However, Biggs was now driving the ball splendidly on either side of the wicket and, in the company of 1st XI debutant Alex Thurgate, he took the total to 185 before the latter was run out for a useful 15. Rob Johns (4) soon departed as his booming lofted drive off spinner Jimmy Ewen was nonchalantly pouched by Butler at wide long off, but the total passed 200 in the 41st over. Shortly afterwards and to great acclaim, a single to mid-wicket saw Biggs reach the magical milestone of his first league century (11 x 4s, 117 balls) before Clements chose to declare with the total at 221-5 and three overs remaining – a competitive score but one which would have been significantly larger had it not been for consistently excellent Bridestowe ground fielding. Tom Fogerty was the pick of the visiting bowlers (1-44 from 13 overs).
In reply, the extra pace of the Otters opening attack was initially to the liking of visiting openers Phil Hatton and Phil Woods who posted a 52-run opening stand before left armer Will Harrison adjusted his radar to claim three victims in quick succession. First Hatton (24) was well pouched behind by Alex Clements before Wood (27) was comprehensively yorked and Jimmy Ewen (2) was also caught behind. From 65-3 the aggressive Neil Griffiths, in the company of skipper Mark Fogerty, took the total past 100 in the 21st over before the introduction of Loud prompted a collapse. The guile and flight of the youngster bamboozled a succession of batsmen. Mark Fogerty (15) was bowled by a looping leg break, Ian Jutson (0) top edged a full toss to third man, Griffiths (25) was castled having a slog and finally Oats (3) edged behind to Alex Clements. Off spinner Nick Doman joined the party as he castled Lee Jutson (6) and, when Loud captured a maiden 1st XI ‘fivefer’ by bowling Butler (0), the Otters appeared to be home and dry with Bridestowe on 144-9. However, a combination of gutsy batting from Tom Fogerty and Charlie Ewen and appalling catching from the Otters saw the visitors edged towards an unlikely victory. Whilst Ewen produced a series of lusty blows as he benefitted from three dropped ‘dolly’ catches off the unfortunate Jody Clements, young Fogerty batted with admirable control, striking four boundaries in an excellent 47 not out. In awful light, the stand reached an incredible 71 before Ewen’s brave knock ended at 40 as he missed a low full toss from Clements.
The lucky Otters therefore scrapped home by a mere six runs in a terrific contest played in a wonderful spirit and a dull evening was lit up by the glowing pride of the young Biggs who reflected on his red letter day by observing, “It’s brilliant, an amazing feeling. I’ve dreamt so much of scoring a hundred but I never thought it would happen today!”
Otters’ Man of the Match – George Biggs.