The first XI made 6 enforced changes for the first home game of the season against newly promoted Plymstock.
The team lining up in the Station Ground sun were: A.Pitt, D.Robbins, B.Coetzee, D.Baldock, G.Daldorph, B.Coe, P.Stirling+, B.Slaviero, J.Broom, A.Jopling, J.Choules.
The skipper won the toss and elected to bat, somewhat surprisingly his opposite number alleged that he would have bowled anyway.
The visitors started reasonably tightly albeit Pitt & Robbins ran hard for a couple of 2s, setting the tone for an energetic partnership for the pair. It wasn’t long before Robbins had his first of what would be 14 boundaries when he guided Scott-Kirk through third man.
He then dispatched other opener Cunningham for 6 when he dropped one too short – the Thorvy deck starting to look like it would be unforgiving this afternoon. Not to be outdone, Pitt finished the opening 10 over powerplay with a couple of boundaries himself as Thors reached 47 without loss.
Whalley was introduced for Plymstock who kept things tighter for the visitors as their supporters were already ordering vodkas at the bar. The change of bowling at the other end brought more joy for Thors with the destructive opening pair finding joy against the seam of Hal Kerton including 2 maximums in the 20th over from Robbins. 87-0.
The pair looked comfortable now, both passing their 50s around the halfway mark of the innings. The field was now spread which allowed Thors to pile on the pressure with numerous 2s and occasional 3s.
Once he had had enough of that, Robbins went large again, striking Mitch for 2 more maximums in the 30th over. Following a single from Pitt, Robbins made it 3 6s from 4 balls faced when Cowan was also despatched into the neighbouring field.
Kerton and Whalley were re-introduced, the latter tightening it up but the former being punished when any width was offered to Pitt.
By now the duo had broken the 1st XI opening stand record held since 1992 and soon after passed 200. After an afternoon of practice, Jopling had become a master cricket ball finder in the Thorverton countryside albeit probably still yet to reach the ball-finding levels of the great-late John Hill – who no doubt would have enjoyed the opening stand as much as anybody.
Much to the delight of his teammates, Robbins brought up his maiden Thorvy 100 by dispatching yet another over the road. The Thors bowlers had to watch themselves as they went to retrieve the ball as Pitt hammered the spare towards his teammates, into the bank.
After one more boundary, Robbins was finally bowled by Cunningham for 108 from 101 balls, hammering 7 4s and 7 6s.
With only 14 overs left, Coe was told to unstrap the pads as Coetzee joined Pitt at the crease, the saffa finding the boundary himself in his second over.
The new pair turned the strike over as attention turned to Pitt who moved through the 80s into the 90s. His well earned century came up in the 42nd over when he slapped Scott-Kirk for 4 more – another chance for the Thors teammates and spectators to get onto their feet.
Pitt followed up his ton with another boundary the very next ball but Coetzee fell to Mitch the next over for a handy 15.
Thors had reached 253-2 with 7 to go so with maximum batting bonus points in the bag, Baldock strode in with a welcome licence. He and Pitt added 25 more before before the veteran was caught in the 48th over.
Pitt finally went in the final over for a most pleasing 122 from 156 balls – 14 4s and 2 6s. Daldorph and Coe added 3 more before the former was unselfishly caught on the final ball for a run a ball 8. Thors finished on 288-5.
After a more than plentiful Slaviero (and helpers) tea, the Aussie-Italian and George Daldorph opened up for the hosts. The pair kept things tight early on, beating the outside edge on a number of occasions. George was rewarded in the 8th over when he caught and bowled Mulbery for 7 with the score on 21. Slaverio followed up in his 6th over when Summer was caught at 2nd slip by Baldock – the visitors 37-2.
Broom was introduced from the Pavilion End and with 2 left handers in, the skipper’s off spin was introduced at the River End. The pair’s first couple of overs were tight but Plymstock decided to take the game to Thorverton ahead of the first drinks break with opener Mitch in particular punishing any bad balls. With a couple more boundaries after drinks, a change from both ends was instructed as Jopling and Coetzee were introduced – the skipper still hopeful that off spin would do for the 2 left handers.
It wasn’t to be as the visitors didn’t allow Coetzee to settle although by halfway in the innings Jopling had found his rhythm at the River End, removing Whalley for 27. 113–3 became 115-4 when Jops had his second while centurion Robbins was keeping things tight at the other end.
Mitch in particular was starting to look comfortable though, and passed his half century. He was supported by Hocken who took a liking to Choules once Jops was bowled out for a tidy 2-50.
With the visitors approaching the 200 mark with 10 overs to go, Thors new they were in a game and the pressure started to show with a few misfields and missed chances after a long day in the sun.
Robbins had a deserved wicket in his 9th over when the skipper held onto a simple catch at point to remove Hocken for 31. Robbo eventually finishing his 10 overs for a more than helpful 1-35.
The skipper persevered at the River End but when his 6th over was taken for 14, it was time for a change. Opener Mitch passed his hundred in the eventful 44th over which was followed up by a tight over from Slaviero at the Pavilion End in front of an increasingly nervous Thors crowd.
With Daldorph an injury doubt, Pitt had replaced the skipper at the River End but Mitch was seeing it like a beachball now and for the first time in a number of overs the required rate snuck below 10.
Slaviero gave Thors a scare with 5 wides in the 47th over but the experienced seamer responded in the best way possible – bowling Mitch for a well made 119. A couple of balls later the Aussie got one to nip back to remove Porter for 0.
Thors were reluctant to relax though so Daldorph was brought on despite potential cramp. When he struck with 2 in 2, Thors could finally breathe. Slaviero picked up the final wicket, his 4th, when Cowan (31) was fittingly caught on the rope by Pitt in front of the home support.
Thors made it 2 from 2 in 2024, picking up the maximum 20 points in the process. The day will be remembered by a record opening stand and centuries for Pitt & Robbins, beating the record of 185 set thirty two years ago by Barwell & Barwell.
A big thanks for new scorer Jess Morrish for her work in the box. The 1s are at home again next week as Tavistock are the visitors.
Thorverton Cricket Club 