Ottery St Mary all-rounder Matt Jeacock has left the club to sign for Sandford in the Premier Division of the Tolchards Devon Cricket League. 

While the loss of Jeacock is a blow to Ottery ahead of the new season in C Division East, it is testament to their development of a young player targeted by Sandford in a bid to mount another title challenge in the top flight. 

Jeacock, 18, opened the bowling for Ottery and was also a regular in the top six of the batting order. His prowess with the ball was demonstrated in a superb debut, taking 5 for 15 in a defeat of Barnstaple & Pilton. 

He finished last season with 28 wickets in County U18 cricket and his family have plenty of Ottery connections, with older brothers Tom and Dan playing for the club, while his dad is a volunteer for the Otters.