After the abandonment at Bridestowe last week, the 1s season got under way hosting Cullompton at Station Ground. Six University of Exeter students were included in the XI:
D. Robbins, S. Hardwicke, B. Heard, J. Jacobs, H. Choules+, M. Jelfs, J. Elviss, J. Eyre, A. Jopling, J. Choules*, J. Groves.
The skipper won the toss and elected to field with Jelfs and spinner Jopling taking the new pink ball. The opening exchanges were relatively tight, Jelfs in particular looking unlucky as Everett edged through third man and overseas professional Kamunhukamwe played inside a couple.
After 6 overs though, the opening pair started to take the attack to Thors. Robbins and Hardwicke entered the attack but Kamunhukamwe made it difficult to settle as the total raced to 92-0 from 15 overs. The skipper decided to bring himself on before the first drinks break and removed Everett first ball for 39.
After drinks, Jacobs replaced Robbins, bowling seam this week instead of the leg spin that was on offer last week. Incoming King found the boundary on a couple of occasions against Choules as Cullompton continued to pile the pressure on. Thorverton rotated the bowling with little luck as the visitors reached 150 at halfway – the Station Ground outfield as rapid as ever.
Left arm tweaked Groves bowled with control from the outset and clean bowled Kamunhukamwe for 82 (67) in the 26th. King continued the momentum for the visitors and with visiting captain Parr joining him, Cullompton looked set for at least 300. However, Thors kept spirits up and started to claw things back – Jarvis Eyre standing out in the field with some great efforts boundary riding. Robbins and Groves both created half chances but nonetheless the 200 came up with 15 overs still to bowl.
Groves had a deserved 2nd in his final over when King was eventually caught behind by H. Choules for a well made 84. When the 250 came up in the 44th and Robbins and Groves bowled out, 300 was still on the cards. However, Choules from the River End this time, removed the Parr brothers in quick succession. He had a 4th next over with Jelfs making no mistake at mid off as the score reached 260-6 with 3 to go.
Tinley came in with a license and Cullompton added 20 more before he was caught off of Jopling in the final over – a stunning one handed diving catch from Hardwicke, making up for an earlier drop. Jops had another next ball and he made no mistake with a run out on the final ball as the innings ended on 281-9.
Thors therefore took some momentum into the tea break, an impressive spread put on by H. Choules and family.
The roller was requested at halfway, before Robbins impressively managed to find square leg off of his glove first ball, only for the catch to go down. As is often the way, the next ball was smashed through the covers for 4.
Cullompton also opened with spin from the Pavilion End, an experiment that only lasted 1 over when Robbins took a liking to Thorverton dweller Vincent.
The seam of Nazumudeen and J. Parr was more difficult to get away as the ball nibbled around, albeit Robbins stayed positive and despatched Parr for a maximum early. 20-0 from 5.
Eventually, the seamers had their rewards when Robbins walked off after edging behind and Brendan Parr took a screamer at first slip to remove Hardwicke off of brother Jason. When Heard also fell in the Powerplay, the writing already seemed to be on the wall at 42-3 from 10.
South African Josh Jacobs and H. Choules had other ideas, however, the former hitting B. Parr out of the attack after a solitary over. J. Parr tried some short stuff to Choules who was surprised by the first one but slapped the next couple towards the road. By drinks the total reached 83-3, and the target now under 200.
The partnership went from strength to strength after drinks as the visitors continued to rotate the bowling and 3 figures came up in the 23rd over. The next over went for 12, a boundary apiece, and the hosts suddenly felt in the game.
However, Arulvendan bowled tightly for the visitors and had the big wicket of Jacobs a couple of balls after he passed his half-century. Jelfs joined Choules and the pair ran well but by now Cullompton had worked out that pace off the ball and fielders out would make things difficult. However, 150 was passed in the 35th over and 130 to win from 15 overs still didn’t feel insurmountable.
A couple of overs later Choules was caught for 46 trying to get on with things. Elviss joined housemate Jelfs and the total ticked along before the latter was caught behind for 30. Thors 181-6 with 8 to go and attention now changed to batting bonus points.
There was a wobble when Eyre fell for a run a ball 8 and Jopling didn’t trouble the scores – Thorverton suddenly 8 down and still 3 runs from the 4th batting point (200). The incoming skipper attempted to bring a sense of calm and a boundary from Elviss soon brought up the 200. He then had licence to have some fun but fell for a tidily made 20.
Choules and Groves negotiated the final few overs, both finding the boundary, and not giving Cullompton a final bowling point. The hosts finishing on a respectable 220-9.
Thanks to Bob Rice in the scorebox and the supporters filtering in and out of Station Ground. Next week the 1s are home again as some big names return to hoepfully get the season going against Heathcoat. It’s a double header weekend as Ivybridge come to Thorverton on Sunday for the t20 cup.
Thorverton Cricket Club 