Pre-season drew to a close as the 1st XI took on Bridestowe in a 40 over game at Station Ground.
Jake Choules won the toss and Thors would be batting first. We lined up with: Fielder, Greed, Coe, Van Der Meulen, Robbins, Baldock, Porter, Diamond, Slaverio, Jopling, Choules.
Andy and George Daldorph were drafted in to help the opposition.
Greed fell early but Fielder and Coe worked hard to put on 87 for the 2nd wicket. George Daldorph impressing with the ball for the visitors. When Fielder fell for an encouraging 48 just after drinks, the score was 104-2 and a solid platform had been set.
The run rate increased after drinks, but we lost a stream of wickets with Robbins falling victim to a run out after a mix up in the middle. Baldock and Porter came and went shortly after.
Van der Meulen was still there though and he and Diamond put on a swift 52. Thors were 186-7 with 3 overs to go.
When Jason fell for 49, Diamond (30) was ably assisted by Slaverio (10) to bring the score over 200 and we finished up on 215-7. Thors demonstrating the benefits of having wickets in hand going into the back end of an innings.
In response, Bridestowe got off to a good start with the Thorverton bowling providing too many extras to assist them. Approaching the drinks break the visitors were 97-1.
Jopling had demonstrated that pace off was the way forwards, again bowling with great control for no reward. The skipper got the breakthrough right on the drinks break, getting his opposite number with help from a neat stumping by Porter.
After drinks, Choules bowled James Ewen for 28 and it felt like Thorverton were back in control.
Bridestowe struggled to get a partnership together from there as we took steady wickets and stemmed the run flow. Jopling’s 8 overs went for just 23, Robbins also bowled an encouraging 8 over spell from the river end, while the skipper ended up with figures of 4-26.
Despite the best efforts of George Daldorph (13* from 9 balls) at the end, the visitors ended on 171-7.
There were spells of the game where the visitors were on top with the B Division outfit providing a stern pre season test. Thorverton showed great determination to turn things around, a positive sign for the league season which starts next weekend.
Huge thanks to Bob Rice and Jimmy May for their work in the sore box and to Paul Jordan for umpiring.
Thorverton Cricket Club 