After a washout against the university last week, pre season wrapped up with a double header against Bradninch & Kentisbeare.
The 1st XI travelling to the Premier Division Champions were: Andy Pitt, Sam Hardwicke, Jim Buckler, Shane Yelverton, Harry Choules+, George Daldorph, Dave Baldock, Freddie Fenner, Awrangzeb Khogiani, Alex Jopling, Jake Choules*.
With some rain present in the morning, the start was delayed until 13.30 but the match would still be 40 overs per side. After losing the toss, Thors were pleased to see George Daldorph running in comfortably down the hill following his injury struggles last season. Khogiani had the task of taking the new pink ball up the hill but the pair were able to keep things tight in the early exchanges. George was rewarded in his 3rd over with the prize wicket of Chappell who uncharacteristically let the early scoreboard pressure get to him.
Piper began to find the boundary towards the end of the 8 over powerplay which prompted the skipper into taking the pace off from one end with Jopling introduced. After 10 overs and the score at 27-1, Fenner was also introduced and once he shock off some debut nerves, began to beat the bat regularly. He was rewarded when Piper holed out Yelverton leaving B&K 44-2. Jopling took a deserved wicket a few overs later when Pugh also succumbed to the scoreboard pressure – Harry Choules making no mistake.
Yelverton and J. Choules were introduced either side of the drinks break with the total at 57-3. Hardy and Triner decided to get on with things after drinks and put the pressure back onto Thorverton with a couple of big overs. Eventually Hardy (35) skied one in Buckler’s first over which brought Kent to the crease. The new man supported Triner sensibly who continued to take the attack to Thors, albeit he was dropped a number of times and H. Choules came close to picking up his first stumping of the season as off-spinner Hardwicke caused problems on his debut.
Hardwicke & Khogiani were tasked with closing out the innings – a task made harder when Thors went down to 10 following a nasty broken thumb for Jim Buckler. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the run rate was stemmed when Triner retired on 50 with the total on 161-4. The final 5 overs were relatively uneventful although Khogiani and Hardwicke picked up deserved wickets – Sam having to wait until the final ball. B&K post 202-6.
Pitt and debutante Hardwicke set about the chase after a swift turnaround and looked solid in the early exchanges. A few looseners brought the score to 16-0 after 5. Pitt was able to move things along when Holmes was introduced, unaware of the openers strengths through the leg side. The 10th over bringing a four and a maximum before Holmes eventually had his man caught behind. Thors 45-1 and on track after 10.
With Buckler en route to A&E, the batting order was rejigged with Yelverton joining the solid Hardwicke. The pair continued to tick things along as the visitors looked comfortable. Shane timed the ball well from the outset and but for picking out the fielders, Thors could have got ahead of the game. However, by drinks the total was still 92-1, giving the visitors a more than solid platform.
The hosts showed their class after the break though with Devon Lions spinner Farley and skipper Chappell offering very little and backed up by a good standard of ground fielding. The overs began to tick by quickly when Hardwicke was stumped trying to move things along for a well made 31. Thors 111-2 with 15 to go.
Daldorph survived an early scare as B&K continued to keep things tight, leaving Thors needing 8 an over from the final 10. With wickets in hand, the two in the middle would’ve fancied their chances but progress was stalled when Yelverton (31) took one to the box before skying one 2 balls later. By the time H. Choules joined Daldorph, the equation was up to 10 an over but he took an instant liking to former county teammate Holmes, getting off the mark with 2 boundaries.
Daldorph got in on the act when he took 12 from an Acton over before Choules was caught and bowled by Hardy. 42 needed from 4 as Baldock joined Daldorph and despite semi-regular boundaries, 29 needed from the final over was always going to be a big ask. Hopes were lifted via a Baldock boundary first ball and a Daldorph (47*) maximum but ultimately B&K won by 13 runs. A respectable run out for the visitors ahead of the Devon League getting underway next week.
A huge thanks to Bob Rice in the scorebox and Paul Jordan who umpired both ends for 80 overs. Our thoughts are also with Jim Buckler who starts his recovery from a broken thumb.
The skipper concluded:
“A really valuable run out where I was able to learn a lot about the squad. Nearly everybody had a bowl against good opposition. Our ground fielding was excellent but some catching practice might be needed on Thursday. I think both sides showed the value of keeping wickets in hand, something I hope we can take into next week.”
Thorverton Cricket Club 