The 1st XI travelling to last season’s runners up was: A.Pitt, N.Chaplin, B.Coe, S.Yelverton, H.Choules+, G.Daldorph, D.Robbins, S.Hardwicke, B.Slaviero, A.Jopling, J.Choules.
The hosts, newly merged with Belstone CC, won the toss and elected to bat in the favourable over-ground conditions. Slaviero and Daldorph got to work with their usual vigour as the openers sought to see them off, few runs being scored in front of square. Ewen eventually managed to squeeze a couple of boundaries through the offside as the total reached 25-0 from the opening powerplay.
As Robbins replaced Slaviero, Daldorph made the breakthrough at the Top End when he wrapped Pengelley’s pads. This bright the dangerous Glasgow to the crease, George beating his bat in the early exchanges.
Robbins brought about some half chances while Jopling was also introduced against his old club. The spinner felt he had Glasgow when there was a big appeal for caught behind but the umpire remained unmoved. Not to be frustrated, Jopling followed up with a sublime caught and bowled to remove opener Ewen.
Spin therefore appeared to be the solution for Thors as Hardwicke replaced Robbins at the Bottom End. After a loosener, the student removed Glasgow when he reverse swept one onto his own stumps. Kian Burns came in with intent but it was ‘6 and out’ to give Hardwicke his second. The hosts 78-4 from 21 overs and wickets now starting to tumble regularly.
Skipper Tallan Burns and P. Penberthy attempted to rebuild but could only add 8 more before Jopling cleaned up Burns. Penberthy was next to go when he skied one to Pitt off of Hardwicke. It took another 7 overs before Jopling levelled Hardwicke on 3 wickets apiece – the hosts now 104-7.
Horn showed real intent when he came in swinging which prompted the skipper to turn back to Daldorph and Slaviero. The Number 9 could only connect a couple of times while Slaviero kept things tight and Daldorph hunted for wickets. George removed Gillespie for 18, Slaviero swiftly dealt with the Number 10 to give H Choules his first catch of the season, before Horn was last man out via a Daldorph yorker. Bridestowe 135AO.
With an hour before the scheduled tea break, Pitt and Chaplin had the challenging task of negotiating 15 overs straight away. Chaplin put Thors at ease immediately though, striking 3 boundaries in the opening 2 overs. Pitt also took a liking to Gillespie as Thors raced to 29-0 from 5.
When Craig Penberthy was introduced and Burns found his rhythm, things became more challenging. The pair bowled with good pace, albeit Chaplin used it to his advantage on a couple of occasions, dealing with anything too straight. Eventually Nick was given LBW in the 10th over for 28. When this was followed up by Ben Coe sportingly walking off after a fine edge behind first ball, the hosts would’ve felt they were back in the game with Thors 48-2.
The bowling was rotated before tea but Yelverton and the ever-present Pitt negotiated it comfortably enough, the highlight being a nonchalant pull shot from Yelverton as Penberthy attempted a bouncer. Thors 69-2 at tea.
After the break, Yelverton and Pitt took it upon themselves to take Thors swiftly closer to the target, dealing with any short balls and running well to put the pressure on. Eventually Yelverton (20) mis-hit a long hop to mid wicket but at 90-3 things still felt relatively comfortable. Any pressure was eased further when Choules got off the mark with a 4 through point which was followed up by proactive running as Pitt reached a well earned half century. Although, the opener would’ve been frustrated not to finish the job when he was caught 6 runs short of the target.
Daldorph had no interest in delaying the game any further when he struck a 4 and finished with a maximum to finish things off. 20 points for the visitors.
The skipper concluded:
“Great day for the club, winning 3 games out of 3 for the first time since we relaunched the 3s last year. We bowled and fielded excellently, pleasing to see the wickets shared around with Jops and Sam Hardwicke stepping up this week. A controlled but positive opening stand from Nick and Pitty meant we were always in control of the chase but pleased with all of the batters for digging in. The challenge is to build some momentum now.”
Thorverton Cricket Club 