With 3 games to go, the 1s found themselves in 6th place but still not mathematically safe from relegation as the A Division relegation battle continued to hot up.
The team to host 5th place Hatherleigh was: A.Pitt, L.Vukusic, B.Coetzee, M.Wilkinson, H.Choules+, G.Daldorph, D.Robbins, B.Heard, B.Slaviero, A.Jopling, J.Choules*.
The skipper won the toss at an overcast Station Ground and elected to bat first. Thors were aided by a few early looseners which added some early extras to the total whilst Pitt & Vukusic sensibly and comfortably rotated the strike. A scrumptious straight drive from Pitt brought about the first boundary of the day as the score reached a steady 16-0 from the first 5. The openers increased the rate after negotiating the opening 5 with boundaries coming more regularly which, in turn, brought about some more erratic bowling from the visitors.
However, Vukusic holed out for 12 attempting to go over extra cover for a second time as the score reached 43-1 after 12. Pitt sportingly walked off for 27 after edging one behind a few overs later to give Nielson his second.
Coetzee and Wilkinson were therefore tasked with rebuilding which was no mean feat with overseas professional Ghosh now into the attack from the River End. The pair looked comfortable though and a cover drive from Wilkinson in particular reduced some pressure. However, another drive after drinks was his undoing and at 56-3 Choules joined Coetzee for more rebuilding.
The pair patiently saw off Ghosh and Nielson and the score reached 93-3 with 20 overs to go. Hatherleigh continued to keep things tight as Coetzee (29) struck a reverse sweep to the fielder attempting to increase the rate after the second drinks break, but was run out when he was called through for the single.
Daldorph joined Choules and the duo ran well from the outset, taking on the single from more defensive strokes. It wasn’t long before George struck a couple of boundaries with the 38th over being struck for 14. Thors 124-4 with 12 to go.
Daldorph continued positively as Choules was understandably happy to give the youngster most of the strike. Three more boundaries came in the 40th over as the total approached 150 and the 3rd batting bonus point. Missing a sweep was eventually the undoing of Daldorph but a destructive 27 from 16 balls put the pressure back on the visitors.
Robbins picked up where Daldorph left off much to the frustration of Hatherleigh as he struck the ball with both timing and power from the outset. By the time Choules played on for 33, the score was 170-6 with 6 to go.
Bobby Heard continued where Choules left off, getting bat on ball to rotate the strike and put pressure on the fielders by running hard. Robbins appeared to have clubbed another to the boundary but a smart catch from Presswell put pay to another destructive innings as Robbins had to depart for 25 from just 17 balls.
Slaviero joined Heard with the pair needing around a run a ball to reach 200 but with the field spread, did so comfortably. A strike for 4 off the final ball from Slaviero gave Thors a decent 209-7 from their 50.
After a great tea from Alex Jopling and his many helpers, plus a quick team photo, Slaviero had new ball in hand for the defence. He immediately undid his strike for 4 off the last ball with 5 wides but soon found his areas other than one over-ptiched delivery that Quick got away for 4.
With a reoccurrence of Daldorph’s side strain, Vukusic was given the new cherry at the River End and strode in with enthusiasm from the outset. He was rewarded after just 4 balls when he wrapped opener Fishleigh on the toe who had to go, LBW.
Ghosh joined Quick at the crease with Thors and the ever increasing number of supporters at Station Ground aware this would be a key partnership. Ghosh ran well to put pressure on the ring fielders whilst Quick looked to take the attack to Vukusic in particular. Hatherleigh 22-1 from 6.
There was a huge appeal for caught behind in the 7th when Slaviero thought he had Ghosh but the umpire’s finger stayed in his pocket. However, the very next ball, with an extra spring in his step, Slaviero wrapped Ghosh on the pad and now had the key wicket. Pace, bounce and swing followed with Presswell doing well to negotiate the rest of a phenomenal Slaviero over.
When Quick played on to Vukusic in the 10th, Thors smelt blood early on. Solkin saw his off stump removed next ball with Hatherleigh suddenly 30-4 and Vukusic on a hat trick. The hat trick ball was a good one, a well directed yorker but it was handled well by Cockwill. However, he went next over when a jaffer from Slaviero dislodged the top of middle and off. 42-5 became 42-6 when Slavs picked up his 3rd and it was time for Jopling and Robbins to join the attack.
Both hit their areas early on to keep the pressure on the visitors and a smart catch behind from Choules gave Robbins an early wicket – with Leahy sportingly walking off as Pitt did earlier in the day.
Jopling deservedly dealt with the tail when a caught and bowled from a full ball removed Nielson then straight ones with a bit of extra flight were enough for numbers 10 and 11. There was another hat-trick ball for good measure.
A ruthless Thors performance left Hatherleigh 47 all out from 16 overs as we leapfrog the visitors into the top half of the table. Thanks to Jess Morrish in the scorebox, Matt Godfrey behind the camera lens and all of the supporters.
Next week is the final home game of the season for the 1s as Bridestowe visit Station Ground on Sponsors & VPs Day.
Thorverton Cricket Club 