The 2nd XI took to the field for the first time At a breezy Landspeed Meadow to take on Cullompton yesterday. Jack Stirling won the toss and elected to bat.
Farley and A.Daldorph opened the innings on a green but firm pitch. Daldorph hit a couple of classy fours in the opening over of the match before receiving the death rattle after a beauty of an inswinger from Chris Beal. Ben Coe was next man in and managed to dispatch Griffin over the square leg boundary for 6 before being bowled by Beal.
Paul Stirling joined Farley and Cully kept it tight for the next ten overs before Stirling fell LBW to Pullin. Grant Squire was next in and put on 37 with Farley for the 4th wicket before falling to Pullin for 14. Henry Squire came in at six. Farley was well caught and bowled by Prince Xavier for a well made 40 with the score on 111. Henry Squire played some classy shots for a well made 24, including a pull for 6 into the perimeter fencing protecting the Great Western Line before being caught on the pull. Cully were clinical with their bowling to the tail and Thors were quickly 135 all out.
The return of cricket teas for the 2nd XI for the first time since 2019 was extremely well received by the visitors; thank you to our friends at Cully for providing a good spread.
As Thors took to the field, the sun came out and the temperature rose. The junior new ball pairing of Henry Squire and Olly Coe showed good control and Squire struck twice in the third over, nicking friend behind for a tidy catch by Paul Stirling, before trapping Xavier in front LBW. Coe then bowled Palmer with a stunning outswinger to leave Cullompton 26-3.
A double bowling change of Jack Stirling and James Meredith was rewarded immediately as Smith was well caught by Farley at deep midwicket off Meredith. Stirling had Pullin LBW two balls later to leave Cully 39-5 after ten overs.
Stephen Kelly and Richard Stevenson hung around before Stirling beat the outside edge of Stevenson and was well stumped by brother Paul. Meredith then bowled Kelly through the gate to reduce the home side to 61-7.
Cully skipper James Blackmore played some well timed shots as Beal fell LBW to Stirling and Meredith bowled Griffin. Blackmore was the last man out, caught by Grant Squire at extra cover, Cully finished up 75 all out. Stirling finished with figures of 4-11 and Meredith 3-31.
Thank you to Cullompton for hosting. Next up for the 2nd XI is the league opener at home to Woodbury & Newton St Cyres on 7th May.
Thorverton Cricket Club 