The 1st XI visiting 2nd place Bridestowe was: A.Pitt, D.Robbins, B.Coetzee, M.Wilkinson, H.Choules+, B.Coe, G.Daldorph, B.Slaviero, A.Jopling, J.Choules*, J.Broom.
With a bit of rain overnight and aware the ground was known for low scores, the skipper elected to bowl when he won the toss. The hosts got off to a perfect start when left hander Woods pushed Slaviero down to fine leg for 4 but it didn’t take long for the Aussie-Italian to have his revenge when he dislodged Woods’ bails a few balls later.
With Daldorph carrying a side injury, Broom was tasked with bowling up the hill with a couple of looseners punished by Kian Burns. Next over Burns took the brave step of coming down the track against Slaviero but without adding to the total. He was warned by the umpire for stepping into the danger area but when Slaviero got one to nip back, it was immaterial.
14-2 became 14-3 when Broom got in on the act as opener Ewen picked out Daldorph at square leg. Things went from bad to worse for the hosts when Slaviero snicked off Penberthy first ball, safely pouched by Harry Choules.
Shaquan Glasgow and Devon Lions newbie Ethan Guest set about a rebuild for the visitors as the total reached 32-4 at the end of the 10 over powerplay.
Pitt and Robbins were introduced as things ticked along to the 17 over drinks break but after 33 balls of patience, Glasgow skied one to Slaviero off of Pitt to make it 45-5. Robbins struck immediately before and after drinks when Guest picked out Coe at short mid wicket before eventually walking off for 28. Then Fogerty snicked behind – Harry Choules really showing his quality behind the stumps by now on a difficult surface. 55-7.
It was pretty much 6 and out for the home skipper when he found a maximum against Pitt but picked out Wilkinson at backward point to give Robbins his 3rd. B Division run getter Brandon Horn came in with a clear licence but struggled to get much away despite swinging hard, particularly with the reintroduction of Slaviero up the slope. Slavs eventually had his man thanks to a blinding catch by Robbins at first slip – the pair clearly reluctant to give anybody else a game.
There was one more boundary for the hosts before Slaviero cleaned up the number 11 for his 5fa as Thors had bowled 2nd place Bridestowe out for 76.
The visitors were well aware that it wouldn’t be an easy chase against a strong seam attack on a challenging wicket – not aided by increasingly full football dug outs where you would normally expect to see sight screens.
Challenging it proved to be when Guest picked up both openers in the first over as Thors faltered at 1-2. Coetzee and Wilkinson both got off the mark with boundaries to ease the initial pressure somewhat but with the Stags throwing everything at the pair, nerves were aplenty on the sidelines.
By the time Wilkinson was caught for 11 to give Guest his 3rd, the score was 27-3. Harry Choules joined Coetzee to finish the job of seeing off the openers, he got off the mark with a well timed cover drive for 4. Thors 32-3 from 10.
Penberthy was introduced down the hill with little joy as Coetzee and Choules remained solid. With the required runs slowly ticking down, there was time for Choules to find the boundary twice more before being caught at slip off the spin of Glasgow for 16.
Coetzee continued in mature fashion, however, keeping much of the strike and punishing any rare loose deliveries. He would have been frustrated not to finish the job when he was also caught in the slips but his well made 29 from 74 balls would provide to be crucial.
With 16 more needed, Coe remained solid and Daldorph looked to be positive to edge towards the finish line. A boundary over mid off from George in particular gave Thors a rare opportunity to breathe easily. Eventually a well run 2 would mark the winning runs as Thors won by 5 wickets and pick up 18 points.
With no teas or bar at the ground and the local pub closed, Thors were able to get back to support the 2s in extra quick time.
Thank you to Jess Morrish for making the trip to score. It’s back to back home games next for the 1s – starting with top of the table North Devon in the stand out A Division game as 3rd host 1st.
Thorverton Cricket Club 