THORVERTON skipper Dave Baldock said there could be no excuses for the three-wicket defeat at Ottery St Mary that heaped more relegation pressure on the Station Road side.

John Farley top scored with 49 for Thorverton, who were limited to 171 for six.

Billy Rudolph led the Ottery reply with 58 as the home side eased home with seven overs to spare.

“It was a poor performance all round from us,” said Baldock.

“We were probably around 20-30 short with the bat, then bowled too many four balls on a poor batting pitch.

“And we missed too many catches or run-out chances, including Rudolph three times as he rode his luck.

“Having said that, credit to Ottery who bowled very tightly with very few freebies and fielded well.”

Paul Fielder (25) and Farley put on 534 for Thors’ second wicket after opener Jamie Khan went in the first over from Will Harrison.

Wickets fell too regularly as Fielder, James Hope and Baldock went getting to 82 for four, then Rudolph bowled Farley at 110.

Adriane Morrison (47) and Jake Crouch (29) got Thorverton going again by putting on 35.

Matt Reed and Jody Clements had two wickets each for Ottery.

Morrison gave Thorverton hope by bowling Ottery opener Dan Flower in the first over, but wicket-taking progress was slow after that.

Rudolph (58), Billy Reed (40) and Clements (30no) all made inroads into the deficit.

A three-wicket burst from Jake Crouch (3-35) and two wickets for brother Gillam (2-33) earned Thors some consolation bowling points.

Thorverton stay in the bottom two 12 points away from safety with second-placed Ivybridge to play this Saturday.