We’re delighted to announce that South African all-rounder Shane Yelverton has agreed to return to Station Ground for the 2026 season.

Shane is no stranger to Mid Devon, having appeared as the club’s overseas player in 2019 and 2025. He also turned out for the 2nd XI in both 2023 and 2024 whilst visiting the area.

Shane was an integral part of the 1st XI’s joint highest Devon League finish last term, scoring 447 runs @ 31.93 and taking 17 wickets @22.29. A match-winning century against eventual A Division champions Hatherleigh was his standout performance.

Everyone who has met Shane will know he is also a great asset to the club off the pitch, helping with women’s and junior sessions as well as aiding the club’s bar takings.

1st XI skipper Jake Choules said:-

“Thrilled to have Shane back for another season. Securing him again was my number one target for the winter so pleased to get it done. Having a genuine all rounder as our overseas was a big part in why we finished so high in the table last year and his hard working and passionate character is invaluable on and off the field.”

Shane said:- “Guess who’s back? So excited and privileged to say I’ll be back at Thorverton this year. Last season was such a great one and I’m more motivated than ever to get the club to even higher heights this year.

So appreciative of the club & everyone else involved for wanting me back. Really looking forward to being involved with everything again – the training, games, helping with colts and all the coaching I’ll be doing again. See you all very soon!“

Shane will be staying with the Robbins family for the first chunk of the season. They are currently looking to kit out their annex with furniture for Shane – if you are in the process of getting rid of any furniture for free/cheap, please do let us know. Shane will then move on to Becky Rice’s. Our sincere thanks to both the Robbins and Becky for their support with hosting.

The draw has been made for the Devon T20 Cup, with Thors one of four teams not to receive a bye to the last 16 of Devon’s Premier T20 competition.

For the first time since 2019, Thors will play at home in one of the T20 Cup competitions, hosting B Division runners up, Ivybridge.

Ties must be played by 31st May 2026. A date and time will be confirmed in due course.

We are thrilled to confirm that we have been granted planning permission for the erection of a new pavilion.

After submitting an application to Mid Devon District Council in May, permission has finally been granted. The application followed a lengthier process than expected largely due to comments raised by the Environment Agency as our site falls in a flood risk area.

Our thanks to all of the consultants for their assistance with the submission of professional reports, as well as DMA Architects. Thanks also to planning officers at MDDC for a proactive and pragmatic approach to dealing with the application.

There are a number of planning conditions required to be discharged which the team will now work through.

Whilst this represents a significant step in the process, the main focus of attention now falls to fundraising. In 2026 we aim to significantly step up our fundraising efforts with ambitions for a Fundraising Committee and for all areas of the club to run their own fundraising events. If you’d like to be involved to help make the dream of a new pavilion a reality, please get in touch.

The club & company’s annual general meetings are to take place on Monday 24th November at 7:30pm.

The venue is Rewe Social Club, Rewe, EX5 4DU. All members are encouraged to attend. There will be updates from each department of the club & the election of officers for the next 12 months.

Personal Changes & Vacancies

Keeley Slaviero is stepping down as Women & Girls Coordinator after the significant growth over the four years since the section started – many thanks to Keeley for all her hard work. We would also like another representative for women & girls cricket on the committee to ensure a fairer representation of our female members.

Keith Cudby is also stepping down as friendly coordinator after many years of service to friendly cricket. Thanks to Keith for his many years of service The friendly coordinator overseas Sunday & Midweek friendlies. The coordinator can do their role without sitting on the committee.

The introduction of our Walking Cricket section also requires representation on the committee.

We also wish to find a volunteer to head up our fundraising efforts with a view to the next stage of our pavilion project. This could either be done as the leader of our subcommittee or via a group and the individual can sit outside of the committee if preferred. Please get in touch if you would be interested.

The current vacancies are as follows:-

Women & Girls Coordinator

Women & Girls Representative (new post)

Walking Cricket Representative (new post)

Fundraising Lead (new post)

Friendly Cricket Coordinator

Anyone who wishes to be considered for any of these roles must e-mail info@thorvertoncc.co.uk with their proposer & seconder by Monday 17th November at the latest. Nominations after this date will not be considered.

If you have any business not listed on the agenda which you would like to be discussed under A.O.B, please submit this in writing via e-mail info@thorvertoncc.co.uk by Monday 17th November at the latest.

Current Officers

The following officers & representatives are happy to stand for re-election:-

President – Charlie Andrews

Chair – Charles Kislingbury

CEO – James May

Treasurer – James Meredith

Secretary – Andy Pitt

Vice-Chair – Jack Stirling

Safeguarding Officer – James May

Fixture Secretary – Andy Pitt

Bar Manager – Committee (Ben Slaviero, Keeley Slaviero, Andy Pitt, James Meredith)

Membership Secretary – Jack Stirling

Head of Club Development & Pavilion Project Subcommittee – Alex Jopling

Head of Ground/Maintenance – Keith Cudby

1st XI Captain – Jake Choules

2nd XI Captain – Ben Coe

3rd XI Captain – James Meredith

Women’s Co-ordinator – VACANT

Women’s & Girls Representative – New Post

Walking Cricket Representative – New Post

Friendly Cricket Coordinator

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Meeting Agenda

1. Chair’s Report & Address

2. Minutes of 2024 AGM

3. Matters Arising

4.1 1st XI Report

4.2 2nd XI Report

4.3 3rd XI Report

4.4 Sunday & Friendly Report

4.5 Women & Girls Cricket Report

4.6 Walking Cricket Report

5. Junior Cricket Report

6. Treasurer’s Report

7. Grounds Team Report

8. Bar Committee Report

9. Club Development Officer’s & Pavilion Sub-Committee Report

10. Election of Officers

11. A.O.B.

12. Company AGM

We hope to see as many members in attendance as possible.

With the 2025 Tolchards Devon Cricket League now complete, here are our player statistics for 2025.

Batting

1st XI (min 150 runs)

Shane Yelverton – 447 runs @ 31.93. 1 x 100, HS – 101.

George Daldorph – 434 runs @ 43.30. 3 x 50, 1 x 100. HS 107.

Dan Robbins – 332 runs @ 25.54. 1 x 100, HS 121.

Andrew Kingdon – 218 runs @ 24.22. 1 x 50, HS 53.

Luke Vukusic – 212 runs @ 26.50. 1 x 50, HS 77*.

Harry Choules – 173 runs @ 19.22. HS 31.

Andy Pitt – 171 runs @ 19.00. 1 x 50, HS 51.

2nd XI (min 150 runs)

David Baldock – 493 runs @ 41.08. 2 x 50, 1 x 100, HS 102*

Andy Daldorph – 379 runs @ 23.69. 2 x 50. HS 96.

Awrangzeb Khogiani – 283 runs @ 23.56. 2 x 50. HS 66.

Imogen Daldorph – 237 runs @ 29.63. 1 x 50, HS 66.

Ben Coe – 183 runs @ 26.14. 1 x 50, HS 79.

Freddie Fenner – 176 runs @ 29.33. 2 x 50. HS 54*

Henry Squire – 169 runs @ 28.17. 1 x 50. HS 73.

3rd XI (min 100 runs)

Rudi Ellis – 479 runs @ 47.90. 1 x 50, 2 x 100. HS 123.

Nathan Buckeridge – 441 runs @ 55.13. 1 x 50, 2 x 100. HS 114.

Rob Money – 266 runs @ 53.20. 1 x 50. HS 76.

Aidan Lea – 174 runs @ 22.75. HS 37.

Phil Taverner – 148 runs @ 49.33. 1 x 50. HS 75.

James Meredith – 123 runs @ 123.00. 2 x 50. HS 73*.

Bowling

1st XI (min 10 wickets)

George Daldorph – 29 wickets @ 17.31. BB 4-26.

Ben Slaviero – 24 wickets @ 16.50. BB 4-14.

Shane Yelverton – 17 wickets @ 22.29. BB 4-33.

Dan Robbins – 13 wickets @ 26.46. BB 4-43.

Alex Jopling – 12 wickets @ 17.67. BB 3-11.

Jake Choules – 10 wickets @ 22.70. BB 2-4.

2nd XI (min 7 wickets)

David Baldock – 27 wickets @ 14.67. 2x 5fa. BB 5-12.

Shakib Rahmani – 22 wickets @ 21.27. BB 3-21.

Awrangzeb Khogiani – 19 wickets @ 27.95. BB 4-65.

Freddie Fenner – 9 wickets @ 24.78. BB 3-52.

Stuart Tait – 7 wickets @ 20.14. BB 3-14.

Imogen Daldorph – 7 wickets @ 30.57. BB 2-23.

3rd XI (min 6 wickets)

Chris Winzer – 19 wickets @ 11.00. BB 4-22.

Craig Risdon – 18 wickets @ 11.72. 1 x 5fa. BB 5-40.

Vishnu Nambiar – 11 wickets @ 9.91. BB 4-15.

Rudi Ellis – 11 wickets @ 15.91. BB 2-4.

Aidan Lea – 9 wickets @ 8.44. 1x 5fa. BB 5-24.

Arran Brazier – 6 wickets @ 18.50. BB 3-6.

Fielding & Keeping

1st XI (min 5 dismissals)

Harry Choules – 13 victims (11 x catches, 1 x stumping, 1 x run out)

Shane Yelverton – 10 victims (10 x catches)

Alex Jopling – 6 victims (5 x catches, 1 x run out)

Luke Vukusic – 5 victims (5 x catches)

2nd XI (min 5 dismissals)

David Baldock – 9 victims (8 x catches, 1 x run out)

Ben Coe – 7 victims (7 x catches)

Awrangzeb Khogiani – 6 victims (6 x catches)

3rd XI (min 5 dismissals)

Aidan Lea – 11 dismissals (9 x catches, 1 x stumping, 1 x run out)

James Meredith – 8 victims (6 x catches, 2 x stumpings)

Rob Money – 5 victims (5 x catches)

All three games ended in abandonments for Thors in the final round of Tolchards Devon Cricket League fixtures.

The 1st XI were left wondering what might have been after the entire set of A Division fixtures were abandoned without a ball bowled. The 1s had a feint chance of promotion going into the final round but ended up 13 points short of second placed Tavistock. The 3rd placed finish in the second tier is the club’s highest league finish since 1987.

The 2nd XI got underway at Station Ground, reaching 59-2 in 14 overs before rain brought a premature end to proceedings. The twos end 2025 in 5th place in the E Division, despite just one win in the final six games.

The 3rd XI also got underway at Clyst Hydon and had taken two Kenn wickets in 16 overs before the game was abandoned. The nine points from the result means the 3s are promoted as runners up in the H Division Central. Congratulations to James Meredith & all involved in the 3rd XI this year!

Thank you to all our members, volunteers & sponsors who have made DCL cricket possible this year!

Thorverton CC is it’s members – players, parents and supporters. 

Now, we’d love to hear what YOU think. What’s working well? What could we improve? Please take our survey to enable the committee to hear your views.

The survey should only take 5-10 minutes.

Complete the survey here:- SURVEY

Thank you for being part of Thorverton CC – your feedback really matters.

There were 2 changes for the 1st XI to host Torquay and Kingskerswell, lining up with: A. Pitt, D. Robbins, A. Kingdon, S. Yelverton, H. Choules+, G. Daldorph, B. Heard, F. Fenner, B. Slaviero, A. Jopling, J. Choules*.

In the final home game of the season, Choules won the toss and elected to field once again. Slaviero started tightly as in-form Thompson sought to take the attack to Daldorph from the River End. George had his man in his second over though when the opener skied one into the leg side, safely caught by Henry Squire running in from square leg.

The pitch looked flat and the outfield rapid in the early exchanges, Western and overseas player Roux making the most of the extra pace, however, there was enough in it to keep Thor’s spirts up, backed up by some solid fielding in the ring. The change bowlers of Yelverton and Robbins started relatively tightly but the scoreboard kept ticking over as Torquay reached a solid 63-1 at the 17 over drinks break.

The over after drinks was eventful with plenty of wides as the ball started swinging, but Robbins had Western caught at slip via his outside edge on the last ball of the over for an important breakthrough. With opposition skipper Passenger joining Roux, Torquay managed to continue to move things along steadily despite the seamers finding some consistent areas.

As the 100 came up around the halfway mark, the home skipper may have been questioning his choice at the toss. Perhaps even more so when Roux took his first over for a couple boundaries. However, in his next over, Choules brought the boundary riders up to tempt opposite number Passenger who duly obliged – Yelverton taking a fantastic catch running backwards from mid off.

Choules had another key breakthrough next over when Roux (40) holed out to Slaviero at long on – giving the skipper his 300th 1st XI wicket in just over 200 games.

Things went from bad for worse for the visitors when Robbins had dangerman Kelmere LBW and was on a hat trick after dislodging Western junior’s off stump first ball. As hat trick balls generally go, it wasn’t a bad one from Robbins but Emdad survived. There was still time for a 3rd in the over though, an edge behind safely caught by H. Choules.

In the space of 4 overs, Torquay had gone from 117-2 to 123-7 with most of the key names removed. The stubborn Baxendale remained and despite surviving an early caught behind scare off of Choules, dug in well for his club as he had done in the return fixture.

Daldorph had another burst either side of the second drinks break to no avail before Jopling and Choules bowled some tight overs in tandem. After 8 overs himself, Choules chucked the ball back to Slaviero who cleaned up Lillywhite first ball after a patient 12 from 40 balls. After surpassing the 150 mark and third batting point, Baxendale was given the nod to free the arms and did well to squeeze a couple of boundaries through the off side. However, when given the opportunity to bowl at 10 and 11, it didn’t take Slaverio long to clean up. Torquay 161 all out.

After a superb Slaviero tea – Keeley also putting on a cream tea afternoon to raise over £100 for Breast Cancer Now – Thors got on with the chase. Torquay opened with the spin of Baxendale, always an awkward proposition, but a boundary second ball from Pitt instantly eased any early anxiety. The seam of Thompson was easier to get away, Robbins taking 10 from his first over – aided by a no ball for the visitors having too many fielders outside of the fielding circle.

In Thompson’s next over, Robbins launched one over the road into the Secret Garden as Thors raced to 30-0. Pitt failed to execute his sweeps and eventually fell LBW to Baxendale. Whilst the introduction of more spin in the form of Passenger didn’t slow Robbins down, taking 12 off of the skippers first over, Baxendale had another when teenager Squire was caught behind for 1. There was time for 2 more dismissive Robbins (32) boundaries but he also had to go when he was caught by Baxendale off of Passenger. A high octane opening 8 overs leaving Thors 55-3.

H. Choules and Yelverton brought a sense of calm to proceedings much to the relief of most inside Station Ground. Yelverton also took a liking to Passneger though, making the most of the rapid outfield to drive a couple of boundaries through the offside. Choules made the most of some early Kelmere looseners and a tiring Baxendale to strike 3 boundaries of his own as the score reached 101-3 from 17.

Just as it looked like Thors were back in control, Choules (23) was bowled by one that skidded a little low to give Torquay another sniff post drinks. After a couple of balls to have a look, Daldorph decided not to hang around and an array of wristy flicks and sweeps brought us quickly into the 130s. Yelverton backed George up well until he also had to go – bowled by Passenger for 33. Thors now 136-5.

Heard knew he didn’t have to take any risks with Daldorph somehow finding another gear but he ran well with his teammate to bring the 150 up at the halfway stage. A couple of wides meant it would be impossible for George to bring up 50 without hitting 2 maximums. He went close when he slapped one over extra cover for a one bounce 4 – then finished things off with minimal fuss, going leg side this time for 4 more.

Another comprehensive 20 point win for Thors by 5 wickets with 22 overs remaining.

Scorecard

League Table

Elsewhere, Hatherleigh beat Tavistock in what looked to be the title decider. Thors are now 13 points behind Tavistock going into the final round – the gap closing dramatically in recent weeks. Mathematically, there is still a chance of a promotion to the Premier Division but with Tavistock hosting bottom side Barton, 20 points at Kilmington and a significant slice of luck are needed…

The 1st XI facing top of the table Tavistock at Station Ground was: A. Pitt, D. Robbins, L. Vukusic, S. Yelverton, H. Choules+, G. Daldorph, B. Heard, H. Squire, B. Slaviero, S. Tait, J. Choules*.

On his return from 2 weeks off, the skipper won the toss and elected to bowl. Slaviero and Daldorph took the new ball as usual as Sponsors and VPs began to filter into Station Ground.

Other than an early loosener punished by Billy Barriball, the pair kept things notoriously tight and beat the outside edge regularly. Barriball’s outside edge was found on a couple of occasions but the ball wasn’t carrying to the slips early on. After a pragmatic opening 10 overs the score was 23-0.

Daldorph got the breakthrough after the powerplay when he cleaned up Gray. At the other end, Barriball began to accelerate against the change bowling of Yelverton but progress was soon stalled when Daldorph got one to nip back to bowl overseas player Mupfuzda. Yelverton found his areas next over and removed Barriball for 29, safely caught behind by Choules. He had another in the same over to leave the visitors 58-4 at the 17 over drinks break.

The introduction of Robbins was rewarded after the break when dangerman Davies lost his balance and was well-stumped by Choules. Dangerous left hander Manning was still there but rode his luck with balls not quite going to hand and a few big appeals. When Yelverton scalped his 3rd at the Pavilion End though, Tavistock were under the cosh at 64-6.

Skipper Cleave was dogged from the outset as he sought to rebuild for his club alongside Manning. Just as frustration was setting in, a moment of magic from keeper Harry Choules finally removed opposite number Manning – with glove still on, Choules sprinted into the leg side and threw down the stumps at the bowlers end to leave Manning stranded. Cleave shut up shop even further from there leaving the visitors 82-7 at halfway.

The 8th wicket partnership was also frustrating until Heard got one to turn, finding Clarke’s outside edge, safely caught by Yelverton at slip. Jake Choules followed in Robbins’ footsteps by keeping things extremely tight at the River End and was eventually rewarded when Cleave (21 from 69) skied one. Slaviero cleaned things up with little fuss and the league leaders were bowled out for 125 in the 47th over.

Following a magnificent Heard tea, Pitt & Robbins sought a positive start. The former followed up an early scare with a well-timed cover drive to bring some entertainment to proceedings to the delight of the numerous TCC VIPS in attendance. Bariball’s second over was slapped for 19 with a boundary apiece for the openers and a 6 into the bank from Robbins, the bowler picking up a warning from umpires in the process.

The pair continued to tick things over, timing the ball well and running with purpose. Robbins brought up the 50 partnership with another powerful maximum before he was caught for a quickfire 26. It was 4 and out for Vukusic and at 56-2 the pressure could have mounted but Pitt and Yelverton continued the aggression – by 15 overs Thors had raced to 88-2 and were in control.

Yelverton, however, was bowled for 18 from one that kept a little low just before the 100 came up. Davies had another when Pitt (42) was caught in the deep but not before the opener struck a few more boundaries through square leg to bring Thors within touching distance of 20 points.

H. Choules and Daldorph had the awkward task chasing the final 15 runs but George was clearly in a rush. He flicked Davies for 4 first ball then moved across his stumps to spank 4 more. Choules had a boundary himself before George finished things off with a maximum over the road.

Scorecard

League Table

A commanding display against the league leaders still leaves Thors 3rd with 2 games to go. The top 2 play each other next week but with the gap still 27 points, promotion remains unlikely, although stranger things have happened…

Next week the 1s are home again for their final game at Station Ground. Any support would be gratefully received.

We’re delighted by the news that George Daldorph has been called up to the Devon Lions squad to face Cornwall in a two-day fixture on Sunday & Monday at Truro.

George, who struck his maiden league century at Cullompton last week, has been an instrumental player for the 1st XI since his debut at the end of the double winning season of 2021. George had been playing 2nd XI cricket since 2018 after coming through our junior set up.

A true all-rounder who has only just turned 22, George has scored 1,173 1st XI league runs at an average of just shy of 25, including five 50s and one century. With the ball, he has claimed 87 league wickets at an average of under 19. This season, he is second in the runscorer table & top of the pile in terms of wicket takers.

1st XI skipper Jake Choules said “A really well deserved call up for George who has come such a long way in such a short space of time – I remember coaching him at U15 level not so long ago. It’s no surprise to anyone at Thorverton that he’s been in the county conversation with consistent runs and wickets for a couple of seasons now and we wish him all the best for the game”

George follows sister Imogen into representative county cricket, who has been a regular in the Devon Women’s side since her debut in 2022.

Go well George & congratulations on the call up from everyone at Thorverton CC.