Just 3 days after the 2nd XI’s nail-biting win at Kensham Park, Thors returned to Kensham Park to take on Bradninch in the T20 Covid Cup.
Captained by overseas star Jason Van Der Meulen, the visitors lineup:- Chilcott, L.Vukusic, Van Der Meulen, Coe, Jefferson, G.Daldorph, Hooper, Meredith, Jopling, Broom, J.Stirling. Eliot Acton won the toss and the visitors elected to bat in the evening sunshine.
Daldorph & Broom initially kept things tight in the powerplay, with E.Acton the first wicket to fall, courtesy of a smart combination of Coe & Meredith running the Ninch skipper out for 4 with the score on 13. Daldorph then bowled Darren Paul for 1 with a well-executed yorker, the hosts 35-2 at the end of the 6 over powerplay.
Ross Acton took a liking to Broom’s final over, smashing four 4s and a six in a set that saw 25 runs added. Jopling came into the attack to bowl R.Acton for a well-made 40 from just 20 balls. Jack Horton was bowled first ball to put Jopling on a hat-trick and Ninch were 70-4. The hat-trick ball was safely negotiated by Josh Farley.
Bradninch’s overseas star Chad Classen remained throughout the flurry of wickets, quietly building his innings. Jopling struck again to remove Farley for 12, finishing with figures of 3-21 from his 4 overs. Stirling had Bunker well caught by Jefferson at long on and the hosts were 102-6 after 12 overs.
The dangerous Ankit Badwal joined Classen and the pair went after Hooper to add 42 in the next 4 overs. Van Der Meulen brought himself into the attack, bowling Badwal, Lawson and then Classen for a well-made 46 in his solitary over, finishing with figures of 3-3. Hooper continued and bowled Dowrick to finish Brandninch’s innings after 18.5 overs; 139 all out.
Vukusic & Chilcott opened for Thors, quietly opening the innings before Chilcott was run out by Farley for 19, Thors 33-1 at the end of the powerplay.
Van Der Meulen came to the crease with intent and he & Vukusic had taken the score to 53 when the latter was bowled by Farley’s leg spin.
Coe joined Van Der Meulen, taking 28 off the next two overs to put Thors 81-2 after 11 overs; 58 required from 54.
With good running and consistent boundaries including a huge Van Der Meulen six into the leg side netting, the pair made it look easy. Van Der Meulen went to 50 off just 26 balls with a drive through extra cover for 4. The third wicket pairing managed chase down the remaining runs with 17 balls to spare and 8 wickets in hand. Van Der Meulen with a dominant 73 from 39 balls, Coe 33 from 22.
Thanks to Alan Birmingham for umpiring. Next up for Thors in the Covid Cup is a home game against Clyst St George on Tuesday 12th July.
Thorverton Cricket Club 