Ottery St Mary could hardly have asked for much more from their first season in the Devon Women’s League, finishing runners-up in Division Three after a hugely impressive debut campaign.
Seven victories from 10 matches brought them 142 points, with only champions Bovey Tracey finishing above them in the final table.
It was an immediate statement from a side new to the competition. Ottery began with back-to-back wins in May, first beating Holsworthy by eight wickets before edging past Exmouth 2s by three wickets.
A five-run victory over Bradninch & Kentisbeare followed in June, when Ottery defended 102 for nine by restricting Bradninch to 97 for six.
Later that month they produced one of their most convincing performances of the season. Ottery posted 183 for six against Holsworthy before holding their opponents to 93 for six to complete a 90-run victory.
Their ability to win tight games was just as impressive as their more comfortable successes.
Chagford were beaten by three wickets in July, while a second victory over Bradninch & Kentisbeare came in August. On that occasion Ottery made 169 before bowling Bradninch out for 147 to secure a 22-run win.
They rounded off the season with another victory over Chagford, bowling them out for 64 before reaching 65 for six.
The only side to beat Ottery twice were champions Bovey Tracey, while Exmouth 2s accounted for their other defeat. Seven wins from 10 in a first season at this level was an outstanding achievement.
Darcy Jones finished as Ottery’s leading run-scorer with 145 runs, with a highest score of 42.
Abbie Sullivan was only five runs behind on 140 and recorded the highest individual score of the club’s leading three, making 58 during a season in which she also proved hugely valuable with the ball.
Alice Please completed the top three with 101 runs. Her campaign included a half-century, with a best of 54.
Alice Gregory led the way with the ball, taking 16 wickets at an average of just 10.00. Her best return was four for 10 as she established herself among the leading bowlers in Division Three.
Lily Harland finished with 14 wickets, including best figures of four for 14, while Sullivan completed an excellent all-round season with 13 wickets to go alongside her 140 runs.
Sullivan was particularly difficult to score from, conceding at only 2.59 runs an over across the league season and bowling eight maidens, with best figures of three for four.
For a team in its first season in the competition, Ottery St Mary could hardly have done much better. Seven wins, a runners-up finish and contributions throughout the side made them one of the feature stories of Division Three.
The challenge now is to build on it in 2027, but after such an impressive first year, Ottery have already shown they are capable of competing with the best sides in the division.
