Ben Slaviero led the side for the short trip to Cullompton: A.Pitt, D.Robbins, A. Kingdon, S. Yelverton, H.Choules, G. Daldorph, B.Heard, S. Jefferson, F. Fenner, B. Slaviero, A. Jopling.
The home side won the toss and chose to field on a green, but recently rolled, pitch and dry outfield. The slow left arm of Vincent caused trouble in the first over, a return catch was put down and one ball later Pitt was gone, chipping up to Parr at cover.
Robbins and Kingdon settled into their work, punishing anything loose to the short boundaries and forcing the early bowling change. J.Parr toiled from the pavilion end and got his reward, a good delivery just taking the bail of Robbins’ off stump, 42-1.
The leg spin of Bharadwaj was introduced and he found some purchase from the pitch. Yelverton and Kingdon batted sensibly though, respecting the good deliveries whilst cutting anything short to the fence. It took a well executed googly from Bharadwaj to dismiss Yelverton for 28. Choules joined Kingdon and immediately dispatched a wide full toss for 4, he was trudging back a few balls later though, this time a leg break turning through the gate. 106-3 at the halfway drinks break.
Daldorph and Kingdon saw out the rest of Bharadwaj as Cullompton began to rotate bowlers. With the game in the balance Kingdon brought up his first 50 for the club as the game went into the last 20 overs. He fell soon after though, pulling a long-hop and somehow finding the boundary rider, 141-4. Having played himself in Daldorph was now beginning to hit his stride, regularly finding the boundary in bringing up his 50. Heard joined in on the act, taking a particular liking to the medium pace of Rendall as the innings went into the last ten. The return of Vincent caused a lapse in concentration though and Heard was on his way for 28. Jefferson was the next man in with another 50 needed from 7 overs for the final batting point.
The pair had other ideas though, taking 38 from the next 3 overs, clearing the rope straight and hitting hard square. Another bowling change only encouraged Daldorph who struck 6, 4, 6 off Arulvendan as he accelerated into the 80s and the score flew past 250. He went one better in the 48th over, Parr dispatched into the car park, then over the club house and then back into the car park for three consecutive sixes to bring up an extraordinary maiden DCL 100 from 74 balls. It was met with rapturous applause from his teammates, far less appreciation from the deflated Cully fielders.
13 from the penultimate over continued the momentum before Daldorph skied one going for another maximum, departing for 107. Jefferson finished the innings off with a maximum over cover, his well-made 36 from 20 taking Thors to 299-7.
On a ground renown for high scores Thors knew that it was very much a job half done as they took to the field. It was almost the perfect start in the first over, Raheja chipping one back but it not quite sticking for a diving Slaviero. Cullysnumber one ended up facing the first three overs and struck four boundaries to rub salt into the wounds. When Bharadwaj did eventually get some strike it was clear he was going to go hard at everything, a plan that didn’t last long as Slaviero caught the edge – easily pouched by Choules, 32-1.
King joined Raheja and the two left handers batted sensibly against the introduction of Heard, Yelverton and then Pitt. At the halfway stage the score was 119-1.
The home side came out more attacking after drinks, King particularly starting to use his feet to good effect. Daldorphwas re-introduced and managed to get the breakthrough, a perfectly executed slower ball takings Kings middle stump.
Overseas professional Dias was now at the crease with the well-set Raheja as a couple of half chances came and went for Thors, close run-out shies and a tough under edge behind the stumps. Slaviero rotated the bowlers, not wanting the battersto settle, but a boundary ball an over stemmed any pressure.
A wicket did eventually come, an ambitious attempt at a single to third man resulting in Raheja being run out for 87, the score 197-3 with 15 to go.
It was now the home team skipper Parr at the crease with Dias. With the field back they picked up regular singles and continued to capitalise on the loose deliveries, pummelling them to the boundary. The Thors fielding was not at its best, the parched outfield making it difficult to pick up cleanly, much to the delight of the home supporters. Both batters passed their half centuries as Salviero rolled the dice for the last time through Daldorph, Yelverton and himself. The home pair continued with the rate though, and despite Thors being certain they had Parr caught behind, the captain finished a well-timed run chase to win with an over to spare.
Thors take 6 points and remain third by 9 points with Cullompton and Bovey Tracey hot on the heels. Next week is the visit of high-flying Tavistock.
Thorverton Cricket Club 