The 1st XI arrived at an overcast English Riviera itching to put in a good performance following a frustrating 2 weeks.
The line up:
A.Pitt, D.Robbins, A.Chilcott, J.Geraghty, H.Choules+, L.Vukusic, S.Jefferson, G.Daldorph, B.Slaviero, A.Jopling, J.Choules*.
Whilst the outfield looked to have been impacted by the recent wet weather, the Torquay pitch and square looked in good condition as Choules elected to bat at the toss.
The hosts started with a defensive field which allowed for some early singles but Robbins soon fell into the trap being caught at deep square leg for 5 in the 3rd over.
Pitt and Chilcott looked to be rebuilding well by rotating the strike and finding the boundary on occasion. Torquay assisted with a sprinkling of wides as the score reached 42-1 from 14.
The 15th over brought about 2 wickets as the change bowlers tightened things up for the seasiders. Pitt holed out to mid off for 18 and Geraghty went LBW a couple of balls later in what was to be the first of 6 LBWs in the innings.
It was down to H. Choules and Chilcott to rebuild who did exactly that brining the score to 56-3 at the first drinks (17 overs). The pair continued to rotate well and despite Choules being put down a couple of times they looked comfortable. Thors had amassed 84-3 at the halfway point.
Chilcott went soon after halfway, however, falling LBW for 37. Vukusic joined Choules as the pair brought the visitors to the 2nd drinks at 109-4.
Vukusic went straight after, bowled through the gate as the pitch was starting to show signs of turn and inconsistent bounce.
What followed was a monumental collapse, the strangest of the dismissals perhaps being Sam Jefferson’s who was unlucky to be given out after running one down to short fine leg.
Thors 127 all out from 43 overs. Chilcott and H. Choules with 36 runs apiece.
The visitors were fired up and after the innings break Slaviero and Daldorph got to work. In the second over Daldorph had dangerman Ternblanche bowled for 1 – a key wicket given the South African’s 180 not out at Station Ground earlier in the season. It was a jaffer from George that shaped away and nipped back, comprehensively dislodging the stumps.
Next over, Slaviero got in on the act striking 2 in 2 thanks to a stunning grab low at 2nd slip from Robbins and the 7th LBW of the afternoon.
Torquay found themselves 6-3 and with the villager’s tails up it was game on. Colegate was next to go, snicking Slaviero behind for 1. Not wanting to be outdone, it was Daldorph’s turn again next, too good for Harry Passenger who was also comprehensively cleaned up.
Torquay would have been feeling blue at 12-5 which soon became 12-6 when Slaviero had his 4th. Another exemplary catch behind, this time by Geraghty at first slip.
It could’ve got even worse for the hosts but Hearn survived a couple of big appeals and a catch going down in the gully. He and opposition skipper Baxendale frustrated Thors for 4 overs before Daldorph found a way through again – bowling the left handed skipper and then removing the opposition keeper, Ebrahim, a couple of balls later. George and Slavs now with 4 apiece.
After a surreal but high class period of cricket from the visitors, Premier Division chasing Torquay found themselves 19-8.
As the opening pair understandably started to tire, there was a counter attack from the hosts with the number 10, Nott, finding the boundary on a couple of occasions.
At the 17 over drinks break the score had reached 46-8 and it was time for Jopling and Choules to be introduced.
Jops struck immediately, Nott playing on for 15 and at 49-9 Torquay were now on the brink. Jop struck again in his 2nd over when Hearn (21) picked out Jefferson on the edge of the ring.
Torquay 50AO. 4 wickets each for Slaviero and Daldorph and 2 for Jopling.
On a day that is likely to be remembered for years to come, other results went in our favour as Thors climbed to 5th in the A Division. We sit very much mid table – 27 points clear of the relegation places and 28 behind the top 2.
The skipper’s thoughts:
“A crazy game and a much needed win for us. It wasn’t an easy pitch but thought we were 50 short. It was simply down to incredible spells by George and Slavs as well as some very good slip catching.”
Hoping the display can kickstart some more consistent form, the 1s host 3rd place Hatherleigh next week.
Thorverton Cricket Club 