Denny Lesniak Trophy Triangular Tournament – 16th July

Sunday saw the Triangular Tournament take place at the club with a great turnout of players, supporters, friends, and families at the Station Ground.

This year it was a pleasure to be able to play for the ‘Denise Lesniak Trophy’ which was kindly donated in memory of Denny, a devoted Thorverton and Exeter Chiefs supporter. Thank you to Heather Braund and the Vickerys for sourcing the trophy and attending on the day.

Two Jack Yeandle teams, a Villagers XI and a Club XI competed in three matches using the 100-ball format which ensured scorer Bob Rice was kept on his toes in the scorebox!

Club vs Yeandle XI

After a quick warm up in the nets the first Yeandle XI stuck the Club into bat. Boundaries were found on regular occasions as were wickets as the Chiefs players and coaching staff held their catches well. Porter made 28 before Wakeley and returning overseas Van De Meulen both retired with 30s. Broom, Denford and Chillcott all chipped in before the towering figure of J. Vermeulen bounced out Chilly and dotted up Heard.

The Yeandle XI gave the chasing of 158 a good go with a couple of players making 20s but a ruthless captain Heard ensured the club came out winners by 40 runs.

Villagers vs Yeandle XI

The Villagers XI turned up well lubricated after a pub breakfast and took to the field against a Yeandle XI who now had their eye in and were bolstered by some replacements. This, along with the largely friendly village bowling attack, meant the rugby lads notched up 145 with 3 retirements. In reply the Villagers top order never really got going against the accurate bowling. Current club overseas Geraghty retired in quick time but his fellow Australian Slaviero could not match his clean striking and the chase fizzled out 40 short.

Club vs Villagers

In the final game of the day a Pimms fuelled Club side took on the Morretti charged Villagers. Batting first, regular 1st XI skipper and tailender Choules made a steady 7 before controversially being ‘run out’ by a Carbines ‘Mankad’. TCC number one fan Carbines was in the action again shortly after,bowling Pitt – the club reeling at 20-3. The returning Van De Meulen and Denford calmed proceedings making quick runs with the latter retiring. Heard and Jopling then did the same and DJ Cal Griffin stuck around to help take the score to a sizeable 190. Slaviero and captain Fice made early runs for the Villagers but a couple of stumpings slowed proceedings. Geraghty once again retired and returned but his 65 was not enough and the Club finished winners by 25 runs to claim the ‘Denise Lesniak Trophy.’

A big thank you to Alan Birmingham for umpiring all three games and Bob Rice in the scorebox.

Thanks to Jack Yeandle, Sam Fice and Andy Pitt for assembling the teams and to all for playing in a great spirit and persisting through the showers!

A huge thanks must also go to Keeley Wells for coordinating the day, Henry Weekes on the BBQ, Keith Cudby on car park, James May for bar/presentation, Freddie and Isaac on raffle tickets, Matt Godfrey on photos and Cal Griffin on the music – as well as all of the willing volunteers on the bar, pimms and bbq.

The raffle on the day raised £350 with a donation of £200 going to the Exeter Chiefs Foundation.

Thank you to the following for prize donations:

Jack Yeandle/Exeter Chiefs

The Thorverton Arms

Darts Farm

Wombat Cricket

George Greed

James May

Billy Wakeley

Alex Jopling