The third XI headed east this week to the village of Luppit to take on Upottery 3rd XI, who were also new to the league this year. The skipper called incorrectly and was put into bat. With a couple of Thorvy league debuts in the side, the line up was: J.Meredith*, D.Mead, N.Buckeridge, C.Winzer, N.Taverner, A.Lea, I.May+, D.Buckeridge, J.Matthews, D.Mirfin, E.Coe.
After losing Meredith in the 4th over for a duck, Mead and N. Buckeridge put on a healthy 58 for the second wicket on a pitch which proved tricky to bat and time the ball on. Mead did manage to score a few boundaries, taking the total to 66 when he was bowled by the experienced Wakefield for 29 on the stroke of drinks.
It wasn’t long before two became three when N. Buckeridge was caught and bowled by Maynard for 6. The more senior heads of Winzer and Taverner were tasked with putting together another partnership, but it was not to be as Winzer was trapped LBW by Wakefield for 6. Wakefield then bowled Lea first ball in the same over to leave Thors 76-4 off 26 overs.
Taverner didn’t last too much longer either as he became Wakefield’s fourth victim of the afternoon for just 4. D.Buckeridge joined May at the crease, with I.May looking to attack some of the bowling. It was one shot too many though for May as he was caught at mid-on as Wakefield completed his five-wicket haul.
Debutant Matthews strode out and ran well with D. Buckeridge to form a helpful 22-run partnership before Buckeridge was bowled by Dawkins. Matthews then dealt some lusty blows to the Upottery attack, finding the hedge on a few occasions with some welcome boundaries. A handy partnership with Mirfin at the end took the Thors score to 135 off the 40 overs.
Thorverton 3XI 135-8. D.Mead 29, J.Matthews 24, extras 45
Following the break, including some lovely homemade cookies from the opposition, N.Buckeridge and Matthews opened the bowling. The first wicket came in the 7th over when Buckeridge got one to jag back and castle Bright. Upottery 37-1 after the first 9 overs.
A double change in the bowling as Mirfin and Lea came into the attack. It was the latter who struck in their first over when Long hit the ball straight to Mead at square leg. The potentially dangerous Pulman was next to go when he pulled a short ball from Mirfin straight to N.Buckeridge at deep mid-wicket – much to the amazement of the batter from not seeing the fielder in the deep.
Another two wickets were to fall before the drinks break. Lea first bowled Rich for his second of the game before Meredith took over bowling duties at the same end to have Thomas caught by D.Buckeridge at mid-off. Upottery 72-5 at the halfway point.
After some tight overs, it was the young off-spinner Mirfin who dismissed the stubborn opener Strawbridge with his last ball to finish with a wicket maiden and figures of 2-19 from his 8 overs. Coe carried out the good work of Mirfin by keeping things tight, leading to a run out with Mead scoring a direct hit from square leg. Meredith had the next wicket the following over when May smartly stumped Matthews.
With the Upottery requiring 54 off 12 overs, Thors needing 3 wickets and the possibility of rain coming in, Maynard and Machin started to form a partnership. When the skipper finished his allotted 8 overs, he brought Lea back into the attack but his first over went for 10 taking Upottery to 120-8 with 5 overs to go. Five more runs off the next over and the momentum was with Upottery, but Lea had other ideas. He first bowled Machin and then Maynard in the same over for a double wicket maiden and to finish with 4 wickets, a great effort for the youngster.
Upottery 3XI 126 ao. A. Lea 4-20, D. Mirfin 2-19, J. Meredith 2-22
A first win of the season for the 3rd XI with a great all-round team performance, with the juniors doing well. Thanks to Jimmy May for coming out and umpiring the game. Next week sees them return back home to take on Cullompton 3s.
Thorverton Cricket Club 