Looking to build on last week’s win, there was one change for the 1st XI hosting Bovey Tracey who were relegated from the Premier Division last term. Team: A.Pitt, N.Chaplin, A.Kingdon, S.Yelverton, H.Choules+, G.Daldorph, D.Robbins, S.Hardwicke, B.Slaviero, A.Jopling, J.Choules*.
After winning the toss, the skipper elected to bowl in cloudy conditions. Slaviero and Daldorph got to work, hitting their usual relentless areas until George was rewarded in the 6th over when Bradley was removed with a simple LBW. Overseas pro Van Staden looked to be positive as he entered the fray but there was a good battle between bat and ball as the total reached 32-1 from the initial 10 over powerplay.
With left handed opener Pascoe still in, the skipper turned to off spinner Hardwicke early from the River End. Thors were rewarded instantly when Hardwicke had his man LBW first ball. The introduction of Yelverton at the Pavilion End also brought about a wicket when Foreman sliced one to Jopling at point. Bovey 44-3.
The change bowlers kept things tight but Thors job was made harder when Pitt damaged his thumb putting one down in the covers and the hosts had to field with 10 for the remainder. The response was positive and eventually Yelverton had another when he cleaned up Andrew for 3 from 34 balls. It was during Shane’s next over when Thors could really celebrate as Shane got one to nip back to remove Van Staden for 36. Bovey had reached 74-5 at halfway.
Jopling bowled a couple of tight overs either side of the drinks break as Russell and Bradley sought to rebuild for the visitors. It was the Yelverton Show by now though and the saffa had his fourth when he removed Russell in his final over. The skipper toiled tightly at the River End while rotating his seamers at the Pavillon End with Daldorph getting number 7 by bowling Harvey for 24. By the time the quick also had Hill caught behind the score was 126-8.
Choules removed opposite number Bradley via safe hands from Hardwicke and Slaviero had a deserved wicket to finish things off. Bovey 133 all out in the 43rd over.
With Pitt yet to return from A&E, Robbins joined Chaplin to open up after a plentiful H. Choules tea. Chaplin looked to be positive from the outset and was helped by a no ball and free hit to take 10 from the first over. Not to be outdone, Robbins smashed his first ball over square leg into the next field. He helped himself to another boundary before falling LBW. Chaplin also added another boundary before following Robbins when he was caught in the gulley for 13. Thors 25-2 after 4.
Bovey tails were up but Yelverton and the experienced Kingdon negotiated the rest of the powerplay without further chance as the total reached a solid 55-2 from 10. Left hander Kingdon in particular timed the ball excellently from the outset and it wasn’t long before Shane joined him in finding the boundary regularly.
The change bowling did nothing to deter the pair and 5 overs later the score had raced to 90-2. Shane accelerated further as the total passed three figures and he moved to 47* with 12 runs still required. Next over, however, Kingdon (35*) cut away two more 4s then 5 wides meant Yelverton couldn’t reach his 50 by the time Thors had won with 30 overs still unbowled.
A convincing display as the 20 points puts Thors 3rd in the early and congested A Division table. Next week the opening month rounds off with a trip to Plympton – the other club relegated from the Premier Division last year.
Thorverton Cricket Club 