Thors were back in Covid Cup action on Tuesday night, taking on Exeter at the County Ground in a prelude to the A Division clash between the two sides this weekend.
Slaviero called wrongly at the toss & Exeter skipper Billy Buckingham elected to bat. Thors line up:- D.Robbins, G.Greed, B.Wakeley, J.Geraghty, H.Choules+, L.Vukusic, G.Daldorph, B.Slaviero*, J.Broom, J.Stirling, A.Jopling.
The youthful opening pair of Gribble & Cockram saw out a quiet first over from Slaviero with the new pink ball, before beginning to find some timing from Daldorph’s first over from the pavilion end. With the score 32-0 from 4, Broom & Jopling were brought into the attack, Broom conceding 14 from his first over; Jopling hit for four fours by a keenly sweep-heavy Cockram in his; 63-0 at the end of the first powerplay.
Gribble departed the first ball after the powerplay – with fine leg up, the scoop was brought into play, but the opener failed to execute and was bowled leg stump by Broom for 27 from 17.
Felix Joseph joined Cockram, the latter hitting the first maximum of the night in the gap between the pavilion & Squash Club which sent Geraghty as the unfortunate chase down down Prince of Wales Road. 76-1 after seven.
The double leg-spin pairing of Stirling & the returning Jopling was introduced and added some control. Cockram went past 50 before slapping a sweep down the throat of Billy Wakeley at deep square (51 from 37). Stirling then bowled Joseph for 15 in the same over. Exeter 103-3 from twelve.
Wakeley took over from Jopling, conceding 10 from his first. New man Dube then struck Stirling over long on for six; Stirling finishing with 2-19 from his four overs. Dube & partner Paget went on the attack, taking 20 from Wakeley’s second over. 140-3 with five to go.
Jopling (1-34), returning for his third spell of the evening removed Dube caught by Geraghty at long on for 31 from 18.
The opening pair of Slaviero (0-26) & Daldorph (1-24) returned for the last 4 overs, only conceding 22 in the process. A direct hit by Geraghty to remove Paget & another catch for the overseas to remove skipper Buckingham off the bowling of Daldorph saw the innings close at 164-7.
After a quick turnaround, Robbins & Greed opened the reply, but Thors were soon in trouble at 1-2 after the left arm inswing of Dominic Morgan bowled both Greed & Wakeley for 0.
Robbins & Geraghty began the rebuild with a handful of boundaries taking the visitors to 28-2 from four. Robbins then struck the largest maximum of the night straight back over Dube’s head. Buckingham came into the attack & immediately removed Geraghty for 17; the Aussie trying to cut a ball despite being cramped for room & the ball thundering back into his legs. 42-3.
Choules joined Robbins & the boundaries were swapped for some good running, taking the total up to 80-3 at the halfway mark.
Robbins hit a third maximum of the night & a few singles later went past 50, before hitting his next ball down the throat of Morgan off the bowling of Cockram; Robbins 50 from 36.
A spell of aggressive running from the incoming Vukusic & Harry continued to keep the board ticking over before Vukusic walked past a Cockram delivery & was stumped by Paget for 12. 16 overs gone, 122-5 and Thors needing 43 from 24 balls.
Choules & Daldorph managed 9 from the Jarman bowled 17th over to leave the equation at 34 needed from 18. A tight over next from Morgan saw only three runs conceded & both Choules (34 from 38) and Slaviero gone first ball. 134-7.
The last two overs only saw 6 runs scored but Daldorph gone for 3 and Broom gone first ball. Morgan (4-14) only conceded one from the last; skipper Buckingham the other pick of the bowlers with 3-15. Thors 24 short and left stewing over a few drops in the field which may have changed the game in their favour.
Next up in the Covid Cup is a trip to Bradninch & Kentisbeare on Tuesday 4th July.
Thorverton Cricket Club 