A much changed 1st XI arrived at Plymstock with the sun just about breaking through the clouds. Team: B.Coe, L.Vukusic, B.Coetzee, G.Greed, G.Daldorph, B.Heard, P.Stirling+, B.Slaviero, A.Jopling, J.Choules*, J.Broom.
The skipper lost the toss and the hosts unsurprisingly elected to field in bowler friendly conditions. Billy Gibson in particular made use of the conditions, getting the ball to swing as well as move off the pitch. After surviving a couple of scares, Vukusic was eventually given LBW in the 4th over when he was wrapped on the foot.
Coe and Coetzee saw out the opening 10 overs as the total reached a steady 18-1 which may well have been more but for the slow outfield. By the time Coe fell 8 overs later, only 9 more runs had been added to the score thanks mainly to tight bowling from the hosts. As we approached the halfway mark, Coetzee looked to take the attack to Plymstock but was caught on the edge of the ring for 15.
The partnership of Greed and Daldorph arguably looked the most promising for Thors as the pair began to rotate the strike more freely. Daldorph then took Zimbabwe international Masvaure to the sword with a four then a straight maximum but then next ball one kept low and Thors were 59-4 with 20 overs to bowl.
Plymstock continued to keep things tight with plenty of maidens although Greed capitalised on a couple of rare full tosses. He and Heard were able to increase the rate more easily going into the last 10 when the field was spread but a mistimed strike from Greed (25) followed by the loss of Heard in quick succession halted any momentum at 84-6.
Slaviero came and went before Broom was promoted up the order with a welcome licence and things looked promising when he flashed at one hard enough to get 4 behind square. He connected next ball but was caught on the rope hitting into the wind. 90-8.
All the while Paul Stirling was looking comfortable but when Jopling was also caught on the rope, Stirling and Choules had a bit of work to do to get to three figures. They weren’t able to add many more to the total either when Stirling was unlucky to be run out for the final wicket. Thors 97AO.
A rare tea away from home was enjoyed before Slaviero and Broom got to work for the defence. The pair hit the pitch and signs were promising with Broom coming close to bowling Masvaure a number of times with shorter deliveries. In the 6th over Plymstock struck their first boundary but Slaviero got one to nip back next ball. 11-1.
Mitch who scored a century at Station Ground earlier in the season set about a counter attack while Slaviero removed
Masvaure LBW at the other end as the total reached 24-2 after 12 overs.
Mitch got a couple boundaries away to remove the pressure for the hosts who were also aided by a few too many extras. By the time Mitch was caught by Daldorph off of Choules for a run a ball 22, Plymstock only required 43 more. The skipper and Jopling found some rhythm to keep things tight with the latter taking a deserved wicket when Whalley went LBW for 12. The decision given by umpire David Hawke who was standing in his 1000th game.
Experienced campaigners Nicholls and Kerton took no risks as Plymstock edged towards the total. Slaviero was reintroduced as a last throw of the dice to complete his 10 over allocation and seemed to beat the bat almost every ball but couldn’t find the edge. With Slaviero seen off and the total a couple of strikes away, some attacking fields were set to the spinners to try to prize another wicket or 2 but Plymstock reached the total with no further scares and 18 overs left – just as Greed was getting loose.
It’s a third 3 point loss of the season for the 1s who slip to 6th in the A Division. Next week is another long away trip to Tavistock.
Thorverton Cricket Club 