The 1s arrived at a sunny Budleigh Salterton, the scene of a dramatic tied game last week, with a spring in their step following their win last time out.
There was one change to the team as Chilcott came in for the unavailable Greed. Team- A. Pitt, A. Chilcott, B. Coe, J. Geraghty, H. Choules+, D. Robbins, B. Wakeley, G. Daldorph, B. Slaverio, A. Jopling, J. Choules*.
The uncertainty of a new ground made the decision at the toss interesting but after his customary successful call, Choules elected to bat.
The Otters opened with spinner Will Oxland and immediately had men on the rope. This allowed Pitt and Chilcott to turn the strike over from the off which lead to early frustration in the home ranks. So much so that the umpires issued a warning relating to language.
A steady start had Thors into the 20s in the 6th over before Pitt was caught on the rope for 9. The calming Coe replaced him as the score ticked along at 3 an over when the opening PowerPlay came and went.
There was a flurry of activity around the first drinks break (17 overs) as Ben Coe was dropped the ball before and Chilly was dropped shortly after. The visitors in the hutch were convinced Chilly would make Budleigh pay but he went the following ball for 35. Coe’s wicket followed next, bowled for 19 right on the halfway mark of the innings. The score had reached 85-3.
It was down to Geraghty and H. Choules to continue the steady building and the pair showed impressive running with numerous 2s and 3s.
Following Choules’ departure for a patient 17 from 47 balls, Thors showed experience and restraint to ensure we didn’t lose wickets in clusters. The ever-present Aussie had useful partnerships with Robbins (6) & Wakeley (12) as we headed into the final 10.
There was some confusion going into the last PowerPlay as the scorers indicated that Ed Doble had already bowled his allotted 10 as he ran in for his next delivery. However, umpires clarified this wasn’t the case and play resumed – it was to be a crucial over. On the final ball, Geraghty smacked one powerfully to mid wicket only for it to be dropped over the rope for 6. A show of frustration from the bowler saw the bails dislodged.
Runs continued to flow, with Daldorph’s nonchalant flick for 6 in particular being worthy of mention as the ball rattled into the sightscreen.
Following George’s cameo, it was down to Slaverio to support Jack. As we entered into the final over having reached 230-7, a score 250 and the final batting point looked out of reach so attention turned to whether Jack could reach his ton. He clubbed a 4 and then a 6 to move onto 98 with 2 balls left. This was immediately followed by yet another well run 2 to bring up the century, greeted by rapturous applause by his teammates. A single off the final ball moved the score onto 246-7 at close.
However, umpires confided with scorers at the interval and due to the initial warning for swearing and follow up for kicking the stumps, Thorverton were awarded 5 penalty runs and the 5th batting point was secured.
Despite no teas, the atmosphere in the Thors ranks was buoyant as we sought to take the momentum into the 2nd innings.
The Otters opened with 2 left handers who took the game to Thors on an increasingly flat deck. Slaverio and Daldroph bowled very well, however, with Slav beating the bat and George with a couple of LBW appeals. At the end of the 1st powerplay the score reached 32-0.
It was a full toss that was eventually the end of Oxland as Daldroph had his man LBW. After 5 overs from Slavs and 7 from George, the spin duo of Choules and Jopling were introduced. Jops appeared to find his areas instantly whilst the batters took the game to Choules. After a boundary and lost ball Choules indicted that Pitt would be replacing him at the far end. However, there was one ball to come and Choules dislodged the stumps of opener Rice for 39.
Pitt and Jopling continued to toil but as we approached the halfway mark the Otters increased the pace again. Not wanting to go through the motions, Thors introduced Geraghty and Slaverio who pegged back the hosts despite an expensive first over from Jack.
At the final drinks the required rate was sneaking up to 7 an over. This was slashed again due to a solitary expensive over from the skipper although it did allow a change of ends for Jack so Daldorph could be introduced from the pavilion end.
George in particular kept things tight ending his 10 overs with figures of 1-34. Jack had enough overs and energy in the bank to bowl through at the far end but a solitary over from Jopling (his 9th) was needed to allow Slav to finish off from the pavilion end. It was a tight one from Jops which gave Thors some control heading into the final 4. Budleigh required 32 to win.
However, thanks to a drive for 4 and a fine edge for 4 in consecutive balls in the 48th over, Budleigh only required 13 to win from the last 2.
9 from Jack’s final over left Budleigh requiring 4 to win and 3 to tie off of the last. Sensible money would’ve been on Budleigh but it was hard to not think of the 2s tie on the same ground this time last week.
The field was up except from a deep cover as Slaverio steamed in for his 10th over. A dot was followed by a single taking the equation to 3 to win and 2 to tie.
Slav kept hitting the perfect spot and after 2 more dots the pressure was palpable. He then cleaned up the opposition skipper on the 5th ball.
New batter, 3 to win, 2 to tie, 1 ball to come.
If echoes of last week’s tie weren’t felt before they certainly were now. Thors could now afford to drop a couple more to the boundary. Slavs ran in again. The new man attempted a scoop shot. Pads were rattled and a single taken but it wasn’t enough for the hosts as Thors won by a solitary run.
18 points were secured and the very early league table has Thors joint top with city-side Plymouth.
It was fantastic to see so many Thorverton supporters throughout the day who experienced a thriller of a game. Thanks too, to Jimmy and Isaac May for their hard work in the score gazebo.
Thorverton Cricket Club 