The 1st XI arrived at a damp and very windy Tavistock as it looked like even the Dartmoor ponies and sheep were taking cover from the elements.
With usual openers Pitt and Robbins away, the line up was:
Vukusic, Greed, Chilcott, Geraghty, H. Choules, Jefferson, Coe, Daldorph, Slaviero, Jopling, J. Choules.
Given the conditions it was the worst time for Choules’ toss record to come to an end as the visitors were put into bat.
Opposition overseas player Yeki caused problems from the outset bowling the perfect line and and after a couple of maidens Yemi had Vukusic caught behind without troubling the scores.
The first loose ball of the innings brought about a wicket as Chilcott was caught at backward square off a full toss.
Greed and Geraghty seemed to have steadied the ship until the former was caught at slip for 11. By the time Geraghty joined Greed in the hutch after being trapped LBW, Thors were in serious trouble at 28-4.
The batting pair of H. Choules and Jefferson displayed the most resistance of the innings, turning the strike over and being more positive against the change bowlers as we approached the halfway point in the innings. Yeki was introduced before drinks to look for the breakthrough and by now everything Tavistock were doing was paying off as Jeffers was caught behind for 7 from 30 balls.
Choules (26) went soon after when he picked out square leg trying to capitalise on a rare loose ball. Thors were back under the cosh at 60-6.
Daldorph came and went just 2 runs later thanks to a stunning catch at short mid wicket. The tail attempted to hang around with Coe who looked comfortable for his 12* but by the time J. Choules was last out Thors were 84 all out.
The players went straight back out rather than taking tea with Slaviero bowling with the wind and Daldroph against it. Despite a few early singles, Slaviero struck twice and Thors had a sniff at 11-2.
Dave Manning turned the tide for the hosts, however, taking the attach to Thors knowing a few big overs would sway the game again.
After 6 overs from Slaviero (2-19), Geraghty was brought on with the wind and struck in his first over – 52-3.
Davies joined Manning at the crease but despite rotating the bowling options Thors were unable to remove Tavi’s top run scorers this season.
The target was reached in the 17 overs and Thorverton stumbled to a 2 point loss.
We only move one place down in the table but the chasing pack have closed the gap somewhat.
The skipper concluded:
“May well have been a different result if I won the toss but the lack of partnerships with the bat was concerning. Hoping the rest of the team are as motivated as me to put things right next week.”
Thorverton Cricket Club 