Join us this Saturday after the Devon Cricket League action at Station Ground as we celebrate the 2nd XI’s promotion back to the D Division. Ben Coe’s team are already promoted and have an outside chance of winning the division. There is reason to celebrate a fantastic season for the 2s whatever Saturday’s results.
It will also be an opportunity to say farewell to 3rd XI captain and treasurer James Meredith who is sadly moving out of the county in the off-season with wife Jen. Mez is known throughout the club for taking on usually thankless roles so will be greatly missed, as will Jen who has regularly joined the Women’s Softball Squad. Mez is the first captain to lead the 3rd XI beyond the bottom tier of the DCL and will no doubt be celebrating survival on Saturday.
Celebrations kick off after the 1st XIs home game with Torquay as Jake Choules leads the team for the final time.
Food will be available and expect beer pong, music and a party atmosphere. All welcome.
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.
2nd XI captain Ben Coe passes Shakib Rahmani his POTM prize
The Energy Systems SW Player of the Month for July 2026 has been awarded to Shakib Rahmani for taking ten wickets in the month, including two four wicket hauls.
Shakib has been a crucial addition as a new ball bowler for the 2nd XI squad since signing from Exwick at the beginning of last season. He has been ever-present in the 2s team challenging for the E Division East title and leads the wicket taking charts for the club in the DCL this season, taking 25 wickets at an average of just 12, including 4-4-24 in July’s comprehensive win at Honiton. Only Sidbury’s Alex Paget and Honiton’s Adam Holmes have taken more in the division.
In total, Shakib has claimed 47 wickets in 28 games for the 2s at an average of 16.66 and also brough bundles of energy with him to the club.
After seven seasons at the club, we bid farewell to Dan Robbins tomorrow who plays his final game for the club before moving to Belgium. Dan, Chloe and family have been a big part of the club since Dan joined from local rivals Shobrooke Park in 2020.
Dan made his debut for the club in the Covid-affected season of 2020 when no cricket was played until 1st August. He quickly became a key part of the 1st XI squad both at the top of the order and with the ball. He was virtually ever-present in the double winning season of 2021, which saw the 1st XI win the B Division and Corinthian Cup in Dan’s first season proper at the club.
To date, Robbo has scored 1703 league runs @ 23.6 and taken 70 league wickets @ 26.7. All three of his league hundreds came in the A Division, the first of which he scored 108 in a 1st XI club record 208 opening partnership with Andy Pitt. His most memorable innings will undoubtedly be the 128 off just 76 balls in this season’s home win over Heathcoat. Club records are patchy, but his blistering 53 ball hundred is almost certainly the club’s fastest century.
However, Dan will equally be remembered for his efforts off the pitch. In August 2023, Dan walked 65 miles from Instow to Exmouth, fully padded up, raising £2560 for TCC in the process.
Dan has not been the only member of the Robbins family involved in the club; wife Chloe has played for the Women’s Softball team and Henry has played in the juniors.
Captain Jake Choules: “Dan has been a huge asset to the club since coming across from Shobrooke Park and I’ve loved playing with him. He was a key part of the double winning team in 2021 and more recently I’ve leant on his experience in a challenging season. His hundred at home this season was possibly the best I’ve seen at Station Ground and I wouldn’t put it past him to end on a high at Kilmington. Dan’s bought into the family atmosphere off the field which has been so great to see. We’ll miss the kids running around the boundary during games just as much as Dan and Chloe!”
Dan: “It’s been a really enjoyable 6 years at TCC. Since the moment I joined it felt like home and that feeling has only grown especially with Chloe and the kids also embracing cricket club life and being made to feel so welcome. Both on and off the pitch I’ve made some amazing memories with a few highlights, including winning the double in my first season and 3 A Division tons. Off the field TCC will forever be etched in the brain, or skin as it were thanks to fines weekend. Hopefully it is just a break and we will be back in a few years to prop up the bar in the new clubhouse. It is truly a wonderful family club and I will miss spending most days down there throughout the summer.”
Everyone at TCC wishes Dan, Chloe and family all the best for their move to Belgium and we hope to see them back at Station Ground in the future.
Luke Vukusic has been rewarded for his form in the first half of the season with a maiden call up to the Devon Lions squad for their three day game against Cornwall at Plympton. Luke will feature in days 2 & 3 with the match starting on Sunday.
Luke has scored 239 runs in 5 league appearances this term, including 89 in the win at Cullompton on Saturday and 74 in the tie at Torquay & Kingskerswell.
Luke joined the juniors at the age of 8, showing early potential which he has realised in the 15 years since. He made his league debut in 2016 and was swiftly moved from the 3rd XI to the 2nd XI. He made his 1st XI debut in the pandemic-interrupted 2020 season against Whimple. He cemented his place in the 1st XI in 2023 and has been a mainstay in the side when university commitments have allowed ever since.
To date in league cricket, Luke has amassed 1523 runs in 76 innings. 803 of these have come in 1st XI cricket. He’s scored 9 half-centuries and taken one 5 wicket haul across 1st and 2nd XI cricket. Luke’s most memorable knock in Thorverton colours came in 2024; a match-winning 115* off 74 balls against a solid Sandford attack.
The Vukusic name is no stranger to representative honours; Luke made his international debut for Croatia last season, following in the footsteps of brother Zach and sister Erin who have also featured for the Croatian national side. Zach & Erin have both played for their respective Devon senior sides, with Erin turning professional with Somerset last year & Zach currently in the Somerset Academy.
George Daldorph will make his senior Devon CCC debut in the Dojo MCA Twenty20 Cup against Cornwall at Werrington on Sunday.
George’s league performances earned him a Lions call up for the first time last year and he has impressed the selectors enough to play for the full county side. He follows in the footsteps of sister Imogen, who has featured regularly for the Devon Women’s side since making her debut in 2022. His stellar year of 434 runs @ 43.40 and 29 wickets @ 17.31 also included a maiden league century.
Since making his debut for the 1st XI in 2021, George has scored 1450 runs @ 27.88 and taken 96 wickets @ 20.06.
George’s story is a rare one, having not featured in any of Devon age groups before making the Lions and senior side. It is a real success story for the club’s junior & senior set ups, with George playing in the juniors, 3rd and 2nd XIs before before establishing himself in the 1st XI.
Our famous iPod shuffle night is back for 2026. It will take place after the Devon League matches on the 25th of July.
This year the event will double up as a leaving do for the Robbins family who are moving to Belgium in early August. Belgian beers will be available and we’re expecting your best fancy dress in the colour of the Belgian flag! Food will also be available.
If you’re unaware how the night works, you simply pay £5 to choose a song for the playlist which is shuffled on the night – last song out wins a cash prize. There are also booby prizes throughout the night.
Get your songs to Jake Choules in advance of the night or by emailing info@thorvertoncc.co.uk. All are welcome for a chance to say goodbye to the Robbins family and enjoy one of the best nights in the TCC calendar.
The first Energy Systems SW Player of the Month Award for 2026 went to Dan Robbins for his blistering 128 from 76 balls in the 1st XI’s home victory over Heathcoat.
The club’s records are notoriously patchy but Robbo’s century coming from just 51 balls is likely to be a club record.
It was Robbo’s third ton for Thorverton since joining in 2020, following on from 108 against Plymstock in 2024 and 121 against Kilmington in 2025. He has amassed 1681 runs in 84 games during that time.
The 1s made 3 changes on the hunt for their first win of the season as Yelverton, Daldorph and Slaviero returned to the side:
D. Robbins, S. Hardwicke, M. Jelfs, S. Yelverton, H. Choules+, G. Daldorph, J. Elviss, B. Slaviero, A. Jopling, J. Choules*, J. Groves.
Heathcoat, relegated from the Premier Division last term, were the opponents as Choules won the toss for the 3rd time this season. With his 3 key seamers back in the side and some rain forecast, he elected to field. Slaviero got to work with a maiden while Daldorph was unlucky not to have Penberthy-Hutchings caught behind in his first over. The scare gave the opener some impetus who moved his feet well and brought the attack to Thors.
Slaviero also almost had an opening wicket when a catch went down in the cordon, with Penberthy-Hutchings making Thors pay with some commanding drives. He was backed up well by Bedford as Heathcoat raced to 71-0 after 10 overs. As the rain started to fall, Heathcoat didn’t let the change bowlers of Hardwicke and Yelverton settle. A couple of full tosses from Hardwicke, who was struggling to grip the ball in the wet weather, combined with some harder rain saw the umpires bring the players off. The total 113-0 from 14.5 overs.
After a lengthy rain delay, Thors returned to the field for what would now be a 40 over game. Finishing the 15th over, Hardwicke almost struck instantly when a tough caught and bowled chance went down. The skipper brought himself and Robbins on after the break, the latter striking first ball with an in-swinger that cleaned up Penberthy-Hutchings for 67 from 49 balls.
He and Choules kept things tight before the captain had his opposite number LBW, followed by W. Bucknell the same way. Heathcoat now 154-3 from 25 and early signs of a fight back from the hosts.
Onley-Gregson was the first right hander to come to the crease, joining opener Bedford who reached 50. Bedford tried to accelerate after the milestone but was instantly caught by Slaviero off of Robbins. By the time Choules and Robbins had bowled out, the score had reached 186-4 with 9 overs to go.
Pace off the ball seemed to be the way to success on a good Station Ground wicket so Jopling and Groves were tasked with closing out. Jops also struck instantly via George Daldorph’s bucket hands. Heathcoat struggled for momentum but passed 200 with 5 to go before Jopling struck again as Thompson fell LBW.
Stoneman and Onley-Gregson were more stubborn for the Knightshayes outfit, albeit without inflicting too much damage as Groves and Jopling toiled away. The latter had a third in the final over when Onley-Gregson chipped one over Slaviero at extra cover who athletically turned and ran backwards to take the catch some distance from his starting position. Jops was suddenly on a hat-trick and a 5fa when overseas player Goodrick picked out Hardwicke first ball. There was still time for a run-out on the penultimate ball as Heathcoat finished on 220-9 from their 40 overs.
After a plentiful Slaviero tea and some DLS calculations, Thors were set 236 to win. Robbins felt it best to remove the additional runs first over as he drove and hooked Goodrick for 3 boundaries in the same number of legal deliveries. With the help of a couple of extras, Thors had taken 24 from the first over.
Freddie Bucknell opened from the Pavilion End and also wasn’t allowed to settle as Robbins, already with his eye in, found the boundary twice more. Thors 34-0 from 2 and the target now just over 200 runs away.
Goodrick and Bucknell bowled with good pace and were tighter in their 2nd overs but the quicker it came, the quicker the pink ball seemed to race away on the rapid Station Ground outfield. Robbins had no intention in letting the change seamer Pugsley settle as he reached his half century in the 7th over off of just 24 balls. Hardwicke, meanwhile, still in single figures but doing a job. In the same over, Robbins had his first maximum as the score reached 75-0.
Heathcoat introduced some spin which allowed Hardwicke to rotate the strike more easily and he had the best seat in the house as Robbins started clearing the boundary riders. There were sweeps, drives and pulls as Thors batters in the hutch retrieved balls from around the EX5 postcode. 90-0 from 10.
When Hardwicke was caught for a sensible 9 from 31 balls, Robbins had reached 90* of Thorverton’s 112. The hundred came up with an aerial drive through cover point and Robbins raised the bat to his teammates dotted around Station Ground.
Robbins brings up his century from just 53 balls
Incoming Jelfs played with great intelligence, facing very few dot balls as he gave Robbins the strike regularly after getting off the mark with a boundary himself. Jelfs had a maximum when he clubbed one through mid wicket, taking out part of a tree, and the 150 came up in the 18th over.
Heathcoat were rotating the bowling regularly by now as Robbins despatched fellow run-getter Penberthy-Hutchings over long on. He tried to go again but it was once too many when he was caught by Stoneman for a stunning 128 from 76 balls. An innings very much in the conversation for the best at Station Ground in recent memory.
Yelverton joined Jelfs and got off the mark with a boundary as the score reached 187-2. 49 runs required from 17 overs. The pair ticked things along nicely, bringing the 200 up with 12 overs still to bowl. That was until a mix up left Jelfs run out for a well-made 43. Thors still needing 15 from the last 7.
Pugsley and Stoneman didn’t give up hope for the visitors and bowled tightly. When Yelverton was caught for a patient 23, the atmosphere changed as 15 were still required but now from 5 overs. Choules and Daldorph exchanged a couple of singles before the former was dismissed, the pressure of the situation rearing its head.
George Daldorph doesn’t really feel pressure. Jamie Elviss did well to get George on strike who struck a couple of boundaries to bring Thors within touching distance going into the penultimate over. It was Elviss who drove the winning runs to save any Suspicious Minds wondering.
Thorverton Cricket Club 