Jake Choules to Stand Down at the End of the Season

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After six seasons at the helm of our 1st XI, Jake Choules will stand down as captain at the end of the season.

Jake’s tenure has seen one of the most successful periods in the club’s league history, sustaining second tier status for 5 seasons after the double winning season of 2021 which saw Thors scoop both the B Division title and the Corinthian Cup. His six seasons in charge make him the longest serving captain since club legend Simon Molineux stood down after a decade in 1985. His captaincy has seen 5 different Prime Ministers and 45 players feature in his teams.

Jake lifts the Corinthian Cup with brother Harry at Ivybridge, 2021

Building on 2021’s success, last season saw the 1st XI record a joint-highest finish in the club’s history, equalling the 1987 side’s 3rd place in the second tier. This season saw a change of fortunes as the 1s were relegated back to the B Division after a 5 year spell in the A Division.

Jake’s reflections:-

“I’d like to thank everybody that supported me over the last 6 years. That’s not just a great bunch of players, but I was also lucky to have a supportive committee who gave me autonomy to do what I was felt was right for the club on the field.

I was massively committed (perhaps too committed if you ask those closest to me) to the role over the last 6 seasons and don’t have any juice left after a particularly taxing season and a change of day job.

When I first started playing for the 1s, I hardly thought I’d be a regular 1s player let alone captain in one of our best periods, including the double in 2021 and the 3rd place finish last season.

I am gutted it has ended on a low but I’ve been asked to pick out some stand out moments which I hope we can look back on fondly in the future.

  • Winning the B Division at Dartington with a teenage George Daldorph taking 4 wickets and an amazing welcome back to the club.
  • Harry and George taking 26 runs from the penultimate over of the Corinthian Cup final to bring it home.
  • A dramatic penultimate over stumping to win at the County Ground, then taking 5fa to complete the double over Exeter the day after Stirs’ wedding.
  • Almost identical games at Budleigh (2023) and Hatherleigh (2025) where we just defended 250 in the final over after respective overseas (Jack & Shane) tons and each of them bowling 10 overs straight through at the death.
  • Not taking a Prem promotion race too seriously as we turned up to Kilmington in whites on the final day.
  • Watching some of my best mates rack up 100s and 5fas.

It’s also been a pleasure to watch lots of young players come of age and now form the main core of the group. With the 2s gaining promotion, I hope the future is bright and I look forward to many more games.”

The squad Jake led to the double in 2021
Back Row L-R:- Harry Choules, Alistair Chilcott, Alex Jopling, Stuart Tait, Tom Diamond, Paul Stirling, Ben Slaviero, George Daldorph, Paul Fielder, Andy Daldorph, Dan Robbins.
Front Row L-R:- Ben Coe, Jake Choules (Captain), Charles Kislingbury (Chair), Charlie Andrews (President), Jacob Broom, Jack Stirling, George Greed.
Players who featured in the Double winning squad not pictured:- Andy Pitt, David Baldock, Luke Vukusic, Bobby Heard, Ben Sapiecha, Nick Barton, Paddy Gray, Calem Curreen.

Jake’s replacement will be decided at the AGM in November. The club would like to extend our immense thanks to Jake for his outstanding commitment, leadership, and service over the last six years, and we look forward to seeing him continue to take wickets in a Thorverton shirt next season.

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