After last week’s washout, the 2s made their way to Budleigh Salterton for the first league match at their new ground, The Holt. Basking in some rare sunshine, both teams were looking forward to getting their league campaigns underway in what proved to be a thrilling and unique encounter.
The XI for the game were: A. Daldorph, G. Squire, J. Porter+, D. Baldock, J. Baker (jnr), C. Winzer, J. Baker (snr), J. Meredith, J. Stirling*, J. Broom, A. Gibbons
Stirling won the toss (a good start to his afternoon) and elect to field first and Broom set to work immediately removing Robinson second ball of the innings, caught by Baker jnr. Gibbons, on debut, opened from the other end and provided some steady line and length. However, the lack of pre-season catching practice proved to be costly for Thors as H. Shipton was dropped four times on his way to 44.
Broom had overexerted himself, not only during his 4 over opening spell, but also the night before, culminated in some bizarre noises from third man, a slight pause to the game & a minor decoration of the bordering bank of Budleigh’s new ground.
Baker Jnr replaced Broom and struggled to find consistency and the partnership between the batsmen starting growing. Baker Snr replaced Gibbons and was starting where he left off last season with his left arm orthodox bowling, until his third over when he dislocated his finger from fielding one hit back at him and off he went to hospital. It came to light that Baker jnr had also broken his finger when fielding off his own bowling but braved it out for the remainder of the innings to field with his left hand only – a top effort.
Stirling and Meredith came into the attack, and it was the latter who made the break through removing Booth for 59, caught by Winzer at mid-wicket. In his next over, he removed H. Shipton, this time caught by Squire at point, and trapped Roper lbw shortly after. Having been 113-1, Budleigh were now 122-4. After some more runs, Gibbons got his first wicket for the club when Bolt caught by Daldorph.
Stirling replaced Meredith and joined in the wicket party by taking 3 wickets in two overs. Squire also chipped in with one of his own to leave Budleigh 185-9. However, a big over of Squire’s bowling took Budleigh to 221 before Stirling finished the innings off.
Budleigh Salterton II 221 ao, Stirling 4-27, Meredith 3-28
After the tea break, Thors were down to 9 batsmen with both Bakers going to hospital with their hand injuries. Daldorph and Squire opened the batting and started to make steady progress before Squire was bowled. Porter came and went before Baldock joined Daldorph at the crease with the score at 43-2. The pair set about making headway towards the total with plenty of running between the wickets, interspersed with some boundaries – Baldock hitting 3 sixes.
Daldorph fell for 47 to leave Thors on 98-3 with about 23 overs left. Winzer was the next man in and put on another 20 runs with Baldock before being bowled. Gibbons made his way out to the crease at 6 and ran smartly with Baldock and made a good contribution in the partnership of 63.
However, during their partnership, the skipper received an urgent phone call and had to rush off, and also ended up in hospital – but this time for a happy reason; the birth of his son. This left the team with only 8 batsmen in total and when Gibbons was dismissed Thors were 181-5 with 9 overs to go. Baldock departed shortly after for a well made 70 off 62 balls. This left Broom and Meredith the task of chasing down the remaining runs.
In a game where the momentum had swung between the teams, there was still time for one last swing. With Broom and Meredith seeing the team through to 200 and maximum batting points, Broom unleashed the biff taking F. Shipton for 6, 4, 6 in successive deliveries and Thors within 6 of the total with four overs to go. The pair took the runs to tie the scores before Meredith was bowled off the last ball of the 43rd over and the game was over, finishing a tie.
Thorverton 221ao, Baldock 70, Daldorph 47, Broom 29
Considering the team started with 11, fielded with 9 and a half men for about 25 overs, and batted with 8, the tie was a great result. Also it was probably a first to end up with 3 players in hospital. Thanks to Alan for umpiring and Bob for scoring the match.
The skipper “Apologies for my urgent early exit with ten overs to go. We did incredibly to take something from the game all things considered. I thought Alex played impeccably on debut and was metronomic with the ball. An incredible effort from Jack Baker to play through the pain and field one handed. Mez bowled the best spell I’ve seen him bowl in a Thorvy shirt & when we needed it most. Dave & Andy great with the bat. An impressive points haul from the 8 left at the end. Get well soon to both Bakers”.
Next week the 2’s play their first home game of the season with Heathcoat III the visitors.
Thorverton Cricket Club 