In a break from the beaming sunshine of recent weeks, it was a humid and drizzly day at Station Ground as the 1s hosted B Division champions Clyst St George.
The team was the same as their last win:
A.Pitt, D.Robbins, A.Chilcott, J.Geraghty, H.Choules, G.Daldorph, B.Coe, B.Slaviero, A.Jopling, J.Choules.
As is continuing to be strangely customary, the skipper won the toss. He unsurprisingly elected to bowl given the overhead conditions.
Opening pair Slaviero and Daldorph kept things tight from the get go with George striking in his first over – 0-1. It was a loose drive from Bunker that was expertly taken by Harry Choules low to his right.
Chris Ferro & Freddie Creer set about a rebuild for the visitors and did build their way into the game as they began to look more comfortable with the passing of time. After 6 overs apiece from the openers, the score reached 42-1. Daldorph was unlucky not to have another wicket as Creer was put down a couple of times at mid wicket, albeit not easy chances.
Jopling was introduced from the Pavillon End whilst Robbins was handed the ball from the River End. The latter felt a back twinge and was removed from the attack after 1 over.
Robbins was replaced by Geraghty and what followed was a very eventful period of cricket. The Aussie’s 2 overs only going for 12 runs but 6 were wides. Somewhere in the middle he bowled Ferro for 18.
All the while Jopling kept things extremely tight from his end. Another change at the River End saw the skipper introduced – trying to shake off the potential yips from the previous week.
Despite a boundary from his first over, Choules joined Jops in keeping things tight. A spate of calamitous running was the end of the visitor’s overseas player, Ronaldo Callander, with thanks to some sharp work from Billy Wakeley on his return to the side. Choules removed danger-man Donovan LBW for 6 shortly after as the total reached 74-4.
What followed can only be described as a large collapse and Choules took full advantage. In a matter of overs the score reached 89-7, the skipper securing 4 – the best of the bunch perhaps being an extremely sharp caught behind by brother Harry.
With Jopling (0-19) bowled out, Pitt got in on the act as Harry had another dismissal, stumping ex Devon youth teammate, Parminder Singh.
With Clyst 8 down and Choules into his 8th over, the race was on for him to get his 5fa. A smart catch from Coe quickly saw to that – 97-9.
There was little resistance from the final pair as Freddie Creer (48*) ran out of partners when Manning was run out at the non-strikers end. Clyst St George 100AO.
A delightful Daldorph tea was enjoyed while rain began to fall – only clearing to allow Pitt and Robbins to get on with the chase.
The pair took advantage of some early looseners as the score reached 26-0 after 4 and any pressure was immediately eased.
The change bowlers of B.Creer and I.Singh caused more of a threat to the hosts with the latter getting Robbins caught at mid on for 9 – a crunching cover drive being the innings highlight.
Chilcott brought some calm to proceedings whilst Pitt feasted on anything short or on his legs, bringing up his 50 at a run a ball.
As the score entered the nineties still less than 20 overs in, Pitt sought to finish in a flurry but not before Chilly also played a delectable cover drive along the carpet for 4 runs.
Pitt (64*) hit the winning runs at the start of the 21st over as the Thors secured 20 points.
The 1st XI hit the road for the next couple of weeks, travelling to high flying Kilmington next before a visit to winless Abbotskerswell.
A huge thanks to the Mays for their usual hard work in the score box and the numerous spectators that kept bar takings ticking over throughout the day.
Thorverton Cricket Club 