With three games to go, the 2nd XI made the trip to Kentisbeare in the knowledge that six points would seal promotion regardless of results elsewhere.
The XI for the encounter: A. Pitt, A. Daldorph, B. Coe*, S. Jefferson, J. Porter. P. Stirling+, H. Squire, G. Squire, J. Meredith, I. Daldorph, S. Tait
On a ground known for its short boundaries, Coe won the toss and elected to bat with a view to putting runs on the board and securing the batting points.
Pitt and A. Daldorph opened the batting for Thorverton and struggled to hit singles. However, hitting boundaries were no problem for either batter with one coming in the majority of overs. 81-0 from the first 10 overs. In the 12th over, Pitt brought up his totally boundary hit 50 with a huge six over the oak tree. The 100 partnership came an over later with A. Daldorph despatching Lewis over the square leg boundary and celebrated the partnership with the same result next ball. A couple of overs later A. Daldorph joined Pitt in surpassing 50.
By the time drinks came, the score had reached 171-0 and big total was on the cards. A. Daldorph was out LBW second ball following the refreshments and the skipper Coe joined Pitt at the crease. In the 24th over, Pitt worked one off his legs to bring up an excellent century featuring 19 boundaries, 6 singles and 1 two. Pitt found the boundary three more times before being dismissed for 116, Thors now 207-2.
Jefferson and Coe went at more of a steady pace compared to the opening pair but still hit the rope frequently. Coe held out to “long off” in the 35th over for 23 and Porter came in at 5 to tick things along. Jefferson was caught for 42 in the 40th over, leaving the score on 287-4. The next two wickets fell to run outs, Porter and then H. Squire the batters to go, but not before the score surpassed the 300 mark. The tail added a few more runs in the remaining overs taking Thors to 316-9.
Thorverton 316-9. A. Pitt 116, A. Daldorph 60, S. Jefferson 4
Whilst thoroughly enjoying what was arguably the best tea of the season and watching the football on the other side of the field, news filtered through that Honiton were all out for 104 and promotion for the 2s was now secured! Taking the field for the second innings the team’s focus turned to the league title, knowing the win was needed and preferably with maximum points with Topsham looking like taking the maximum at North Devon.
Tait got us underway with the new ball and struck in the first over, Sanders edging one through to Stirling behind the stumps. I. Daldorph opened from the other end and went well in her first over but struggled in her second as Norman took advantage of the short straight boundaries with some clean striking. Daldorph did strike in her third over with Porter taking a screamer diving full stretch low to his right at slip. After Tait beat the edge of Findlay three times in the 7th over, it was Daldorph who got him in the next over with Coe taking a comfortable catch at short extra. At the 10 over mark, Kentisbeare were 75-3.
Jefferson and Pitt replaced the opening bowlers, and both picked up a wicket in their second overs. Jefferson first had the dangerous Norman (66) caught smartly by Tait at point, then Pitt had Farley expertly caught by Coe low to his left.The sixth wicket followed very shortly after as Jefferson had Gillet smartly caught by G. Squire at backward square leg, much to the surprise of the batter that Squire was there, leaving Kentisbeare 121-6.
With a small partnership developing, Meredith replaced Pittand found the edge of Busch’s bat in his second over, Stirling taking the catch. Jefferson got his third wicket in the next over, Stirling again taking the catch to leave Kentisbeare 164-8.
H. Squire took over from Jefferson and bowled with real aggression. Like many other bowlers, he also struck in his second over as one was struck hard and flat straight into the bucket hands of A. Daldorph at the familiar “long on” boundary. Meredith completed the job in the next over taking a caught and bowled to dismiss Kentisbeare for 197. All 10 wickets were caught in the innings with every bowler getting in on the act.
Kentisbeare 197ao. Jefferson 3-30, Meredith 2-35, Daldorph2-50
Skipper on the day, Ben Coe “Great platform set by the opening bats allowed everyone else to be aggressive and play with freedom which got us up to a really good score. Although Kentisbeare got off to a really good start we were able to pick up wickets regularly with good bowling and excellent catching. All the wicket’s were caught which doesn’t happen very often. Such a great group to be a part of”.
Jack Stirling “We’ve set out what we targeted at the start of the campaign and I couldn’t be prouder of everyone involved in this squad. To achieve what we have with whilst being able to involve so many players of all ages & genders can only be great for the club going forward. Great to see Andy hit a first league ton, which has been a long time coming. I’m also pretty sure that’s a league record score for the 2nd XI which is a monumental achievement in itself. We absolutely deserve nothing more than the league title & I expect us to get the twenty points next weekend, so we can relax and enjoy the final game”.
With the promotion to the D division secure, the 2s have the long trip to North Devon next week where a maximum points will give them the league title.
Thorverton Cricket Club 