On a scorcher of a day across Devon, the E Division promotion race was also heating up & Thors took on 9th placed Ottery St Mary in their penultimate home fixture of the season.
Thors line up:- P.Fielder, J.Farley, B.Coe, G.Squire, B.Heard, P.Stirling+, J.Porter, J.Meredith, I.Daldorph, J.Stirling*, J.Broom.
In an rapidly emerging tradition, Stirling lost the toss but was left aghast as Ottery elected to field in 33°C.
Fielder & Farley opened the innings for Thors at a steady, solid pace, taking the score to 40-0 after the first ten overs. The paid continued to toil away in the sunshine, reaching the second of three allotted drinks breaks on 22 overs with the score on 86-0.
Farley began to struggle in the heat and retired hurt with heatstroke on 32 with the score on 101-0.
Fielder went past 50 for the first time this campaign, but was then bowled by Harris on the same score; Thors 124-1 after 28 overs.
Coe was next to go, bowled by left-armer Gleeson for 25. Squire & Heard both fell to the same bowler 4 overs later for 7 & 21 respectively; the hosts 167-4 with 9 overs left.
Porter & P.Stirling batted with intent during the last few overs, taking Thors past 200 to secure full batting points. Stirling then slapped a ball straight at cover and was on his way back for 17. Farley joined Porter with the score on 206-5. The pair took an impressive 39 off the remaining 4 overs & the innings closed at 245-5, Farley 44* and Porter with another not out on 36.
After a large Stirling tea, Thors took the field at 5pm & immediately made inroads into the Ottery batters. Imogen Daldorph struck twice in her second over, bowling Gleeson & finding the edge of Sandford first ball & the hands of Fielder at slip to reduce Ottery to 11-2.
Heard replaced Broom after a 3 over spell & immediately had Harris caught by Porter at deep-midwicket. He then had Handley & Jackson LBW and the visitors were struggling at 36-5 after 11 overs.
Venables and Liyanage added some resistance, blocking off Stirling & Heard. Fielder was introduced as Liyanage reached his half century before nicking behind to Stirling. He then struck twice again, Venables caught by Jack Stirling at mid off for 11, then Tierney caught and bowled.
Broom was reintroduced and bowled Lovell for 0 to leave Ottery on the brink. A few more overs were sent down before Smart wasn’t so with his running and was run out by Porter; Ottery 113 all out.
Skipper Stirling “A routine win & good performance that leaves us essentially promoted with three games left & all credit to everyone for that. Really been impressed with the conduct & attitude of anyone coming down from the 1s, Fielder again proving that today with a great performance”
The 2s travel to Kentisbeare next Saturday needing just 6 points to mathematically secure promotion. We remain 21 points ahead of Topsham needing 40 points from a possible 60 to secure the title.
Thorverton Cricket Club 