The sun was shining and anticipation was in the air as the Devon League season belatedly got underway after last week’s wash out. Station Ground looked a picture so full credit goes to our ground team who have worked tirelessly in the testing weather conditions.
TCC gave league debuts to Billy Wakeley and Aussie overseas Jack Geraghty, lining up with: A.Pitt, G.Greed, B.Coe, J.Geraghty, H. Choules+, D.Robbins, B.Wakeley, G. Daldorph, B.Slaviero, A.Jopling, J. Choules*.
Picking up from last season Choules won the toss and elected to bowl. Slaverio was thrown the new ball from the pavilion end but the first ball bowled on the newly laid square was a wide.
Slaviero didn’t give the Tavistock openers an inch from there though, bowling consistent lines and lengths at a brisk pace. He struck with the 3rd ball of the game while Daldroph looked to shake off some rustiness at the river end. Opener Luffman was dropped at slip in the 3rd over and responded with some positive drives through the covers.
Slavs kept toiling and had danger man Dave Manning trapped LBW at the end of the 7th over – 25-2.
Geraghty and the skipper were introduced at the end of the 1st powerplay. Tavistock struggled to score off the bat against Jack’s swinging ball but were helped by some extras as Thors continued to settle in.
Choules picked up a wicket right on the drinks break which was quickly followed by Jopling removing Luffman for 29. Suddenly Tavistock were under pressure at 77-5.
Opposition captain Charlie Barriball sought to counter attack with some success including 3 impressive sixes. Choules picked up 2 more in the meantime before Daldorph and Slaverio were introduced to deal with counter attacking Barriball. Daldorph had his man clean bowled bringing the score to 124-8.
Slaverio made light work of the tail and Tavistock finished on 135 all out after 40 overs.
Following a terrific Keeley tea, Pitt and Robbins began the chase. Robbins being promoted from the previously advertised line up in order to take the game to the opposition.
There was an immediate hiccup however as Pitt was caught out by a slower ball in the first over. It could have been worse only for Robbins to be dropped by Tavi keeper Dave Manning – a real collector’s item. Greed and Robbins appeared unphased however with the score reaching 41 before Robbins finally went for 23.
Greed continued to show patience and ran extremely well with the incoming Geraghty. Greed was unlucky to play on with the score on 97 but by now Thorverton were closing in on the win.
There was a wobble when H. Choules and Coe came and went but the ever present Jack brought up his 50 in the meantime. Billy Wakeley (10*) showed impressive intent as the two debutantes got us over the line – 19 points.
Post match, the skipper surmised:
“Really important to start off with a win so we can take some confidence into the season. Still some rustiness to shake off with bat and ball (30 extras) but 2 great individual performances from Ben Slaviero and Jack got us over the line.”
Next week the 1s follow in the 2s footsteps with a trip to Budleigh Salterton’s new ground as 1st in the A Division host 2nd.
Thorverton Cricket Club 