The 2nd XI made the short trip to Bradninch after some miserable weather in the morning. The rain meant a delayed start to 1:30pm, with the match reduced to a 41 over affair. Captain Jack Stirling continued his miserable toss record this season and Thors were put into bat.
Thors line-up:- A.Daldorph, J.Farley, B.Coe, L.Vukusic, P.Stirling+, G.Squire, H.Squire, E.Vukusic, J.Baker, S.Tait, J.Stirling*
Daldorph & Farley opened up on the pitch that had just been rolled. Farley was immediately on his way back for 0, a rising ball from back of a length caught the glove and ballooned to first slip for an easy catch. Daldorph soon followed him, edging behind for 0 too, and Thors were in trouble at 1-2.
The innings didn’t get better when Ben Coe was smartly run out for 6, leaving the visitors reeling at 10-3.
L.Vukusic and P.Stirling showed patience to steady the ship, taking the score past 50 before falling to Acton for 13. G.Squire was quickly run out for 2 with the score at 75-5, P.Stirling also edged Shrewsbury behind just one run later, out for a dogged 29. Henry Squire batted patiently to see off the experienced Paul Nott, who conceded just 6 runs off his 8 overs. E.Vukusic went without troubling the scorers at 90-7.
Baker & Tait both added 7 each before being caught, Tait clearing the ropes in front of the pavilion off Birley before falling to him 2 balls later. H.Squire was last out for 19, and Thors had crawled to a third batting point; 120ao.
The visitors kept the run rate low from the get-go, Tait and Coe opening the bowling. Foan was the first man to go, with the score on 34, LBW to Tait for 9.
E.Vukusic and Stirling replaced the new ball pairing and frustrated the host’s scoring. With the score on 51-1, Bradninch looked to be in the driving seat before Carthew was removed by Vukusic, caught by Tait. Vukusic then struck twice again, bowling opener Birley for 29 and the dangerous Paul Nott for 0.
Stirling struck twice to remove Penberthy for 7, well caught by H.Squire at mid-wicket, then Dowrick hit aerially to Daldorph at long on for 0. E.Vukusic finished her spell of 7 overs with impressive figures of 3-16; Stirling with 9 overs, 2-14, with Bradninch collapsing from 51-1 to 63-6.
The spin of Baker came into the attack & Coe returned from the other end. Baker bowled Acton for 4. Coe removed Shrewsbury for 19, thanks to by far the best grab of the season so far, a diving catch by Daldorph running it at long on. Ninch 88-8, needing 33 more.
Mills showed some aggressive intent & struck Baker for back-to-back boundaries. Lawson ably supported him to take the hosts to 14 runs needed, much to the delight of the Bradninch spectators.
Baker toss one up which Mills couldn’t resist, holing out to Tait at long on for 14.
Reed was last man in for the hosts. Lawson struck Baker through the covers to take Ninch to within single figures required. Baker then bowled him for 11, to big celebrations from the Thors players, winning by 7 runs.
The result leaves the 2nd XI top of the E Division East at the halfway point of the season.
Skipper Jack Stirling:- “A really big win for us, especially after being 120 all out. I thought Paul and Henry showed great maturity in their innings to get us there. We bowled and fielded so tightly as a unit, Erin Vukusic again showing what a valuable asset she is to us. To bowl only 3 wides as a side in a low-scoring game is a fantastic effort. The unity, determination and character of the group was there for all to see”.
Next up for the 2nds is a trip to Woodbury & Newton St Cyres.
Thorverton Cricket Club 