The 1st XI made the short trip to the County Ground to complete the Devon League season against already-crowned A Division champions, Exeter.
Stand-in captain Andy Pitt won the toss on an unusually soft Exeter wicket and elected to bowl. Thors line up:- A.Pitt*, L.Vukusic, S.Jefferson, J.Geraghty, G.Greed. G.Daldorph, B.Heard, P.Stirling+, H.Squire, J.Stirling, J.Broom.
Daldorph & Broom opened the bowling, with the damp pitch offering a pitchmap of the early deliveries. Broom, playing his first 1st XI game since promotion, took just three balls to open his A Division account, Clist edging a drive straight into the hands of Pitt at second slip.
The start got even better for Thors as Linnitt hit an aerial on drive off Daldorph to J.Stirling at mid-on, who juggled the ball until it came to rest in his left hand. Exeter 17-2.
Ben Abrahams stuck around with overseas Cameron Edwards without much intent, taking the score to 41 before Heard bowled the former for 6. Geraghty then removed former Thorvertonian Jamie Khan for 9, caught in the covers by George Daldorph. Exeter 47-4 from 15 overs.
Buckingham was the next to go, trying to turn a poor delivery from Stirling around the corner, only to find the hands of Broom at short fine-leg. 66-5.
Skipper Joe Gore joined Edwards as Exeter tried to rebuild. A slow start to the partnership ensued with Pitt rotating his bowlers, including the introduction of himself. Henry Squire was called upon for the first time in the 1st XI & sent down 5 controlled overs for 11 runs. Squire was unlucky to be wicket-less after the visitors were convinced Gore was caught behind.
Edwards passed 50 as the run rate went up in the last ten overs. Exeter finishing on 158-5, Edwards 80* & Gore 35*.
Pitt & Vukusic opened the chase on the drying pitch as the County Ground was awash with warm sunshine. Pitt was the first man to go for 1, caught at fine leg on the pull with the score on 20.
Jefferson was next to go for 8, caught by Edwards off Morgan. Morgan then trapped Vukusic in front for 25 before Jarman bowled Geraghty with a grubber for 4. Thors 47-4.
Greed & Daldorph patiently went about the rebuild as Exeter introduced the spinners. Scoring was difficult with pace off the ball, but the pair push past 100 & a second batting point.
Daldorph departed for 31 from 76 balls when he was stumped by a good piece of work from Robin Fern. Incoming Heard was run out in the next over & Thors were 121-6, needing 38 from 36 balls.
Edwards ended a good knock by Greed by bowling him around his legs for 42 from 92. Squire was bowled without scoring with the score on 124, before Paul Stirling was caught for 2 at long off & Broom was bowled to complete the collapse, Exeter winning by 34 runs.
The 1st XI end the season in 5th place in the A Division, the clubs second highest finish in the Devon League & best since 1987.
Thorverton Cricket Club 