The 2nd XI travelled to the scenic Westleigh to take on North Devon 3rd XI on Saturday in the knowledge that claiming a full allocation of points against the bottom side would secure the E Division East league title.
The travelling 2s XI:- J.Farley, A.Daldorph, G.Greed, D.Baldock, S.Jefferson, L.Vukusic, H.Squire, J.Meredith+, J.Stirling*, J.Broom, I.Daldorph
Stirling took his account of toss losses into double figures and North Devon elected to bat first. Broom & recently crowned National U18 Champion Imogen Daldorph opened for Thors, displaying some fine control as the hosts openers struggled to 23-0 from the first ten overs.
Vukusic & Stirling replaced the new ball pairing and Vukusic struck twice in his 5th over to remove Ansell caught behind by Meredith & bowling Davies second ball.
Stirling bowled Pennington for 27 and struck twice more, Bail stumped by Meredith & Ware plumb in front. The skipper finished with 3-29; the hosts falling from 46-0 to 77-5.
Broom was reintroduced and got a deserved wicket in the 31st over by bowling Thompson & North Devon were 103-6. Ware & Mann offered some resistance, taking the hosts up to 147-6 before Ware was bowled to give Henry Squire a deserved wicket; Henry finishing his spell of 6 overs with 6-21. D
aldorph, Baldock & then Vukusic returned from the other end with only the latter taking a wicket, Mann caught by Greed for 24. Daldorph was the unluckiest of the bowlers, finishing a metronomic 9 overs with 0-23. Vukusic returning figures of 3-39 & North Devon finished on 172-8.
Daldorph & Farley set about the chase calmly, yet punishing some loose balls in the first ten overs to take the score to 61-0 after the first ten.
The pair continued to consistly take advantage of the small boundaries, with Farley passing 50 for the first time this term. 139-0 after 20 overs.
Daldorph finally fell for 48 from 49 balls in the 21st over with the visitors on the same score. Daldorph has now passed 700 runs for the season with only Kentisbeare skipper Harvey Sanders ahead of him after scoring 140 this weekend.
Greed struck 24 from 13 balls in just a 14 minute stay at the crease before the 9 wicket win was secured with 21 overs to spare, hitting two cars in the process. Farley finished on a classy 69* from 79 balls.
The skipper Jack Stirling “A good win but a shame not to get the league tied up this week, something we could’ve done if we’d held out catches, something we’ve excelled at this year. John & Andy great with the bat again and I was impressed by all of our bowlers, but especially Henry in particular”.
The 19 points leaves the 2s 20 points ahead of Topsham in the title race, with just one point needed against Bradninch on Saturday to secure the title.
Thorverton Cricket Club 