After the ship steered slightly off course last week with a loss to Braunton, the 2nd XI returned to the Station Ground this week to take on fellow promotion chasers Hontion. Executive Officer Coe returned to captain the side and won the toss, electing to bat.
Thorverton lined up: A. Daldorph, L. Vukusic, B. Coe*, D. Baldock, B. Heard, G. Squire, J. Baker (jnr), J. Broom, E. Vukusic, J. Meredith+, I. Daldorph
The decision to bat looked almost questionable when A. Daldorph was out bowled in the second over for 9. L. Vukusic soon followed a couple of overs later in the same fashion, scoring 5. Coe and Baldock were now at the crease with some serious intent. Coe only dealt in boundaries for his first 16, whilst Baldock also started to free the arms, the side reaching 63-2 off the first 10 overs. Baldock then fired 22 off the 11th over, including a stupendous 6 that sailed over the sight screen into the recently harvested field. He fell shortly after for 46 being stumped off the leg-spinner Ingram.
Heard came and went for 2 just after drinks. Squire joined Coe in the middle and the pair set about setting course for a big total. Coe flashed the ball through slips on a few occasions before bringing up his 50 in the 26th over. The partnership consisted of a cocktail of easy singles and punishing the bad ball by putting it to the rope, the crew applauding as they went. The partnership reached 110 before Coe departed after being bowled by Kelly. 206-5 the score with around 10 overs to go.
Baker, who scored a ton midweek for the U14 Devon Development side, looked comfortable at the crease with Squire. By the time Squire was judged LBW for 66, the 250 landmark was brought up. With 5 overs to go, skipper Coe set in his gunner Broom. After a dab for 2, 6 into the bank and a bigger 6 into the orchard, Broom was bowled for 14 off 4 balls. Baker and E. Vukusic saw the remaining overs out taking the score to a massive 280-7.
Thorverton 2XI 280-7, Coe 82, Squire 66, Baldock 46, Baker 26*
After a smashing spread from the Coe’s, and a Happy Birthday to Mary, the sides returned to the field. Honiton started brightly with a few boundaries coming in the opening overs before Broom and E. Vukusic started to really hit their line and length. E. Vukusic removed Groves, caught by Heard over his head. After winding himself up over various decisions on wides and no balls, Haysom holed out to L. Vukusic at deep mid-wicket off the bowling of his sister, straight after Coe marshalled two fielders back there. Honiton 40-2 at this point.
The change bowlers of I. Daldorph and Heard kept things relatively quiet for a few overs with the odd boundary. I. Daldorph then picked up her first wicket of the afternoon, Kennel driving straight to Squire at cover. She then picked up her second when Coe leapt like a salmon (sound familiar) to this left, dropping the original chance in his left hand before twisting to take it with his right. Victim number three wasn’t too far away either, Holmes the batter this time, caught at mid-on by A. Daldorph running round.
By this point, Heard had got bored of seeing wickets tumble at the other end and got in on the act himself, bowling the left-handed Conway. Honiton were struggling at 100-6 and the result looked a formality. I. Daldorph then picked up her fourth for the innings, bowling Freemantle and had another over and a half to pick up a 5fa. Sadly, this wasn’t to be as Heard took the last three wickets, two bowled and the last caught by L. Vukusic.
Honiton 129 ao. I. Daldorph 4-26, B. Heard 4-40, E. Vukusic2-38
The results of the last two weeks see’s Thors remain top of the league, with a 45 point gap to Honiton in third place and promotion still very much in their own hands. The side will look to extended the 8 point lead they have on Topsham St James in 2nd place when we make the short trip south next week.
Thorverton Cricket Club 