Looking to continue the form from the opening day, the 1st XI hosting Hatherleigh was: A.Pitt, L.Vukusic, A.Kingdon, S.Yelverton, H.Choules+, G.Daldorph, D.Robbins, S.Hardwicke, B.Slaviero, A.Jopling, J.Choules*.
With the sun out and the pitch looking hard, the skipper elected to bat at the toss. However, it was a tricky start for the hosts when Vukusic was given out caught behind and Kingdon wasn’t able to trouble the scorers on debut when he was adjudged LBW.
Yelverton and Pitt set about the rebuild with boundaries hard to come by thanks to good opening spells by the visitors. After seeing off the openers, Yelverton fell LBW to Presswell as the total reached 49-3 from 15.
Pitt was next to go not long after drinks for a patient 31 as the visitors focused on spin in the middle overs. The spread field allowed H. Choules and Daldorph to rebuild relatively comfortably whilst finding the boundary frequently enough, the score 86-4 at halfway.
The pair put on another 30 before Choules was caught behind for 31. Robbins joined Daldorph with 17 overs still to bowl and looked to time the ball well from the outset. They started to get on with things before Robbins was caught for a run a ball 22.
With the score 148-6 with 10 to go, the hosts would’ve hoped to reach 200 but the lower order struggled to hang around with Daldorph. Despite George passing his half century, wickets stemmed the run rate and by the time the skipper joined him for the last over, there was only one more boundary for George before being caught. Thors all out for 187.
After a generous Jopling tea, Slaviero and Daldorph began the defence, keen to build on last week’s display. The early signs were good when both picked up early wickets to leave Hatherleigh 7-2 from 3. Thors no doubt eager to remind their visitors of the 48 all out last season.
However, despite continuing to beat the bat, overseas professional Ghosh and skipper Cockwill weathered the storm well. Ghosh in particular using his feet to put the pressure back on the hosts. The change bowlers weren’t able to strike and by the 17 over drinks Hatherleigh were 76-2.
Daldorph was reintroduced at the Pavilion End after drinks and removed Cockwill to give Thors some hope, meanwhile the skipper kept it tight at the other end before a full toss dealt with Presswell. Hatherleigh 103-4 but Ghosh still in and going well, passing his half century.
Seamers were rotated from the Pavilion End while Robbins replaced the skipper as Thors desperately sought to remove the dangerman. It wasn’t to be though, and by the time Robbins had his wicket, the visitors were in striking distance. Ghosh brought up his hundred then hit the winning runs as Thors limped to 5 points.
Thanks to Alex Jopling and family in the kitchen, Jess in the scorebox and injured Freddie Fenner for capturing some fantastic photos of the game.
The 1s have a tough run of fixtures now with a visit to last year’s runners up next week before taking on the two sides relegated from the Premier Division.
Gallery
Thanks to Freddie Fenner for some great snaps of the game.
Thorverton Cricket Club 