Around 50 revellers met at Thorverton Memorial Hall to celebrate another successful adult season for the club.
The chairman got proceedings underway with a mention to those lost over the last year including including legendary groundsman John Hill.
A fantastic 3 course meal was served up by Dan Wagner from Dan’s American Kitchen as awards were dished out between courses.
The Player’s Player award for the women’s softball section was another tightly contested vote with the award shared between Lisa May and Sureka Khan. Vanessa Wilson scooped coach’s player of the year thanks partly to her commitment and uplifting spirit around the squad.
In the skipper’s absence Dave Baldock put together an impromptu summary of the 2s season and there were no surprises when Andy Daldorph picked up player of the year yet again.
Next was a presentation for Dan Robbins for his unbelievable fundraising walk during the season. Alex Jopling presenting Dan with framed photographs of the mission.
Jake Choules then presented Young Player of the Year which Bobby Heard won by 1 vote, just pipping Luke Vukusic. Sister Eliza accepted the award on Bobby’s behalf. Jake then moved onto 1st XI Player with leading wicket ticket George Daldorph scooping the prize.
CK was then back to present the Mike Denford Champagne Moment which went to Ben Slaviero for his heroics at Torquay and Budleigh Salterton.
Finally, Jock Spry presented the much coveted Volunteer of the Year to Ben Keenan for 20 years of tireless volunteering at Junior Training. Ben has run the youngest (and perhaps most challenging) age group for that time.
Thank you to everybody involved in putting on the evening but in particular to the Fices and Carbines for decorating the hall, Cal Griffin for providing the music and Dans American Kitchen.
“Yesterday was the final farewell to our legendary groundsman John Hill.
At a packed Shobrooke Church we heard wonderful stories of the “country man” that John was born to be and how he touched so many people.
Fittingly the sun shone and the privilege to bear John on his final journey was extended to TCC with Paul Jordan; Charles Kislingbury; Jock Spry; Roger Gratton; Bob Rice and George Greed having the honour to bear Hilly to and from the Church.
The club was very well represented with attendance from all sections, players and supporters alike reflecting the affection and respect held for John. He will be sorely missed but long remembered.”
We are very saddened to share with you the passing of our legendary groundsman John Hill, known fondly as Hilly, after a short battle with illness.
Hilly arrived at Thorverton initially to help us with the preparation of our cricket square and the match day wickets, however it wasn’t long before he was integrally involved with the club and the cricket ground. Forging a special friendship with our President Charlie Andrews, he became a permanent part of the cricket club and its activities.
A particular champion of rising talent, Hilly wasn’t shy of sharing his opinion and was regularly challenging how the club was being run but always with the best interest of the club at heart.
Retirement didn’t slow Hilly down as he continued to give generously of his time and expertise in shaping the appearance and presentation of the ground today. His contribution will be a lasting legacy.
Sadly illness was to curtail Hillys involvement at the club far too quickly and although he was able to enjoy some sunshine with us this summer, his innings closed far too abruptly.
He will be missed but long remembered.
RIP John.
A familiar sight, Hilly (right) & Charlie Andrews (left) ensuring the wicket is ready for the second innings. Hilly (right), with Charlie Andrews (left) & Charles Kislingbury (middle) in the spot he always occupied on Saturdays.
The 1st XI made the short trip to the County Ground to complete the Devon League season against already-crowned A Division champions, Exeter.
Stand-in captain Andy Pitt won the toss on an unusually soft Exeter wicket and elected to bowl. Thors line up:- A.Pitt*, L.Vukusic, S.Jefferson, J.Geraghty, G.Greed. G.Daldorph, B.Heard, P.Stirling+, H.Squire, J.Stirling, J.Broom.
Daldorph & Broom opened the bowling, with the damp pitch offering a pitchmap of the early deliveries. Broom, playing his first 1st XI game since promotion, took just three balls to open his A Division account, Clist edging a drive straight into the hands of Pitt at second slip.
The start got even better for Thors as Linnitt hit an aerial on drive off Daldorph to J.Stirling at mid-on, who juggled the ball until it came to rest in his left hand. Exeter 17-2.
Ben Abrahams stuck around with overseas Cameron Edwards without much intent, taking the score to 41 before Heard bowled the former for 6. Geraghty then removed former Thorvertonian Jamie Khan for 9, caught in the covers by George Daldorph. Exeter 47-4 from 15 overs.
Buckingham was the next to go, trying to turn a poor delivery from Stirling around the corner, only to find the hands of Broom at short fine-leg. 66-5.
Skipper Joe Gore joined Edwards as Exeter tried to rebuild. A slow start to the partnership ensued with Pitt rotating his bowlers, including the introduction of himself. Henry Squire was called upon for the first time in the 1st XI & sent down 5 controlled overs for 11 runs. Squire was unlucky to be wicket-less after the visitors were convinced Gore was caught behind.
Edwards passed 50 as the run rate went up in the last ten overs. Exeter finishing on 158-5, Edwards 80* & Gore 35*.
Pitt & Vukusic opened the chase on the drying pitch as the County Ground was awash with warm sunshine. Pitt was the first man to go for 1, caught at fine leg on the pull with the score on 20.
Jefferson was next to go for 8, caught by Edwards off Morgan. Morgan then trapped Vukusic in front for 25 before Jarman bowled Geraghty with a grubber for 4. Thors 47-4.
Greed & Daldorph patiently went about the rebuild as Exeter introduced the spinners. Scoring was difficult with pace off the ball, but the pair push past 100 & a second batting point.
Daldorph departed for 31 from 76 balls when he was stumped by a good piece of work from Robin Fern. Incoming Heard was run out in the next over & Thors were 121-6, needing 38 from 36 balls.
Edwards ended a good knock by Greed by bowling him around his legs for 42 from 92. Squire was bowled without scoring with the score on 124, before Paul Stirling was caught for 2 at long off & Broom was bowled to complete the collapse, Exeter winning by 34 runs.
The 1st XI took on relegation candidates Abbotskerswell in their final home game of the season on Saturday. With skipper Choules & Ben Slaviero absent for the vice-captain’s wedding in Australia, former skipper Andy Pitt took the helm for the first time since 2019.
The showers had so far missed Station Ground. Pitt won the toss & elected to bat. Thors line up:- L.Vukusic, A.Pitt*, S.Jefferson, J.Geraghty, H.Choules+, A.Chilcott, H.Squire, B.Heard, G.Daldorph, A.Jopling, J.Stirling.
Vukusic & Pitt got proceedings off to a steady start for Thors, the score reaching 40 after ten overs when Pitt was trapped infront by Tobias for 22. 40-0 was soon 48-3 as Watkin wrapped the pads of Jefferson for 1 & comprehensively bowled Geraghty for 2.
With the score on 49-3 after 13 overs, the heavens not only opened but poured. Play was delayed, tea taken & the affair was reduced to 37 overs per side.
Unfortunately as play resumed, so did the host’s collapse. The visitor’s skipper Watkin removed Vukusic LBW for 22 before Choules was adjudged caught behind for 5.Then Watkins knocked back Squire’s off-peg without scoring. Thors had lost 6 wickets for 17 runs and suddenly found themselves 57-6.
That soon became 70-7 as Chilcott was given out caught behind for 5 to give the Abbots skipper his 5fa.
Daldorph & Heard offered some resistance for Thors, taking the score past a second batting point before Heard was caught & bowled by Carpenter for 24. Jopling suffered the same fate for 1 & Thors were 110-9.
Stirlings hung around with Daldorph until the close of the innings with the hosts posting 125-9.
DLS revised the total to leave Abbotskerswell needing 124 to win from their 37 overs.
After a quick turnaround, Abbots got off to an even quicker start. Overseas Jack Neylon dispatched the skipper’s first two balls over the rope. Another maximum follow in Daldorph’s second over before he made the breakthrough, bowling Hill for 4. Neylon had added 34 from just 14 balls before hacking Heard to Daldorph at backward point. Skipper Watkin was castled by Daldorph & somehow Abbots were 49-3 after just five overs.
Daldorph continued to beat the outside edge, finishing his 8 over allocation with 2-26.
Stirling & Jopling offered some control and stemmed the scoring, the former striking in his first over to remove E.Smout-Cooper caught by the skipper for 13.
Carpenter was next to go, bowled by Stirling & the game was back in the balance at 74-5. Stirling finished his 8 with 2-18 & Heard was reintroduced. This paid dividends immediately as Tyler was caught by a diving back Chilcott at mid-off. 91-6.
Niall McCarthy continued to hang around whilst Charlie Smout-Cooper batted with intent, hitting a couple of boundaries before being bowled by Heard (3-31). 107-7 with 17 needed.
The equation soon became 13 needed with two wickets remaining as Geraghty bowled Tobias for 2.
Hard joined McCarthy with the DLS target score within touching distance of the total & the pressure on. He hung around for 13 balls, letting McCarthy do the scoring, the latter hitting the winning runs with a 4 down the ground off Geraghty with 8 balls to spare and to all but guarantee Abbotskerswell A Division cricket for 2024.
The 1s remain 4th in the A Division, now unable to catch Kilmington in 2nd & Torquay in 3rd. Last up is a trip to the County Ground on Saturday as the 1s will attempt secure 4th at already-crowned champions Exeter.
After 3 wins in a row, the sun threatened to come out at Station Ground as the 1s sought to make it 4 from 4.
The team consisted of only 2 players over 30 years old: A.Pitt, L.Vukusic, S.Jefferson, J.Geraghty, H.Choules+, A.Chilcott, G.Daldorph, B.Heard, B.Slaviero, A.Jopling, J.Choules*.
Kilmington won the toss and elected to field as Vukusic and the returning Pitt opened up. The opening overs were quiet but the score ticked along thanks to some well run singles and extras. The first boundary came via Vukusic in the 6th over.
The Kilmington attack consisted of one medium pacer in Josh Cann and numerous spinners which were rotated from the outset. A steady start brought the total to 34-0 from the opening 10 overs.
The openers brought up their 50 partnership just before the first drinks break at 17 overs with Vukusic falling for a solid 23 just after the break. Pitt was next to go in the 20th over for 25 and at 60-2 the game remained in the balance.
Jefferson and Geraghty continued to tick things along as Station Ground filled with spectators ranging from ex captains to former overseas players to the chairman himself.
Geraghty went LBW for 12 just after the halfway mark as H. Choules joined Jefferson at 82-3. The latter fell for 19 in the 31st over as the total reached there figures.
Chilcott, in an unfamiliar number 6 position, ran well with Choules while his scones were creamed for him in the kitchen. Going into the last 10, the pair looked to increase the scoring rate, taking a liking to Cann in particular with a couple of comprehensive boundaries in the 41st over.
Kilmington showed why they are 2nd in the league though and loose balls were hard to come by, especially from the spinners. Going into the final 5 Thors were 146-5.
Chilly sweetly timed a straight drive for 6 into the sightscreen at the River End before Choules drove Seaward for 4 more. Chilcott (34) was caught thanks to an athletic grab by Crabb as Daldorph joined Choules for the final 2.
The pair took 9 and 13 runs from the last 2 overs respectively – Choules 46, Daldorph10.
During the eating of a stupendous Chilcott tea it felt like a Thors had the momentum and their was an air confidence about defending 185.
Kilmington, as they have become known for, went hard from the off and put the pressure on the Thorvy openers. Slaviero had the most control with the wind and removed Rockett in the 5th over who picked out the skipper at mid wicket with a powerful pull shot.
This seemed to spur Gooding on to go even harder and with Aussie overseas Cucontis at the other end Kilmington reached 43-1 from 10.
The end of the powerplay brought about a double bowling change as Jopling and Choules were introduced. Jopling had dangerman Gooding in his 2nd over for 39 with assistance from Geraghty’s reliable bucket hands.
At the first drinks Kilmington had a solid base at 64-2 but the scoring rate had showed signs of slowing. When Reed took a liking to sweeping Choules, there was a change of ends for Jopling which allowed Daldorph to be re-introduced with the wind.
The batters struggled to score freely but did tick things over and would’ve had Thors worried at 102-2 at halfway. Jopling bowled Reed just after halfway, however, as Slaviero replaced Daldorph.
Cann and Cucontis set about the rebuild for the visitors but boundaries were hard to come by. With Jopling bowled out, Heard was introduced from the River End and Choules from the Pavilion. The pair continued to stem the flow but with the total at 131-3 with 20 to go, Killy remained strong favourites.
Heard, however, had other ideas. He had Cucontis caught behind for 39 in the 35th which triggered an almighty collapse for the visitors.
Seaward was next to go, bowled for 0 by Heard and at 146-5 Thors had a sniff. With pressure doing funny things, a phenomenal direct hit run out for Chilcott followed which brought about the biggest celebration of the day.
Choules was now bowled out but Heard had enough in the tank to finish from the River End whilst Slaviero and Daldorph could share the overs with the wind. Cann was still there for the hosts but the pressure was beginning to tell with more mix ups in the middle.
Heard was relentless in his areas and had his 3rd in the 44th over – then 4th and 5th in the 46th. His first 1st XI 5fa. Jopling’s catch out of the sun worthy of mention for the 4th.
Kilmington were all of a sudden 9 down with the total on 164. A boundary from Cann gave Thors a brief worry but it was only fitting that Heard removed him stumped next ball for his 6th. Kilmington all out for 171 and Thors win by 14.
Thors climb to 4th in the A Division going into the the final 2. Huge thanks to Jimmy and Isaac in the scorebox and all of our volunteers and supporters across the day. Another memorable day at Station Ground.
It was another grey day in the Devon Cricket League as the 1s made the relatively short trip to Clyst St George.
There were 2 changes to the side: L.Vukusic, G.Greed, A.Chilcott, J.Geraghty, H.Choules+, B.Coe, B.Heard, G.Daldorph, A.Jopling, B.Slaviero, J.Choules.
The rain stayed away for the most part as the hosts won the toss and somewhat surprisingly elected to bat. Slaviero and Daldorph got to work and with Slavs opting to bowl down the slope it gave George a rare opportunity to bowl with the wind.
The pair picked up where they left off in recent weeks bowling disciplined areas and making batters work hard for any runs. It wasn’t long before Daldorph had his first as a loose shot from Bunker met the outside edge.
Freddie Creer was next to go as George cleaned him up. In his next over some quick reactions from Daldorph met the end of the host’s skipper Kendall who was caught and bowled after a couple of attempts. George had 4 when he bowled Wells first ball and an aggressive field was set for the hat trick/potential 5th wicket ball. It wasn’t to be as opposition overseas, Ronaldo Callender, defended well but significant damage had already been done at 10-4.
Slaviero got in on the act when he snicked off left handed opener Donovan for 13 – the 2nd of what would be 4 catches from Harry Choules.
With Clyst at 29-5, the skipper replaced Slaviero at the Pavillion End fancying his chances against the aggressive Ronaldo. He was proved correct first ball as Greed took a simple catch at backward point.
George continued to toil in search of his 5fa and it wasn’t until his final over that he could find Ferro’s outside edge. H. Choules with another diving grab and George had 5-20 from his 10. Clyst in trouble at 33-7.
The 8th wicket partnership proved to be a frustrating one for the visitors as Par Singh and Ewan Cragg shut up shop for the hosts. Choules and Jopling toiled – bowling 7 maidens between them but not able to find the wicket. Jop came the closest when a chance went down at short mid wicket.
After 7 overs from the skipper Heard was introduced down the slope and showed encouraging turn and bounce for no reward. By the time Jops was bowled out he had only gone for 16 runs from his 10.
Going into closing stages Cragg found some shots, particularly through mid wicket, and for the first time in the game there was some pressure on the visitors. Geraghty replaced Heard and Thors finally had the breakthrough with help from a one handed diver by H. Choules. Clyst 91-8 – Singh dismissed for 20 from 91 deliveries.
Bertie Creer came to the crease at number 10 and showed the most intent of all the home batters striking the first 6 of the day. The scoring rate increased in the closing stages albeit Heard was able to keep it tight in the final over. It was to be an odd over where Cragg poked a single into the offside to reach his 50 on the penultimate ball and Creer defended the final ball of the innings. Would Clyst regret not taking some more risks at the last?
The target was 127 to win as Vukusic and the returning Greed got to work. Ronaldo and Donovan kept it tight for the hosts but the pair looked comfortable until Vukusic was caught in the gully looking to drive Donovan. The seamer had Chilcott LBW next as he looked to flick off his legs.
At 12-2 Thors were under no illusions it was to be a tough chase in tricky conditions. Geraghty and Greed calmed the nerves though, pouncing on any width and Geraghty taking the game to Ronaldo, resulting in the field being pushed back and singles subsequently easier to come by.
In Ronaldo’s final over of off spin he went round the wicket to the right handed Greed who was adjudged LBW for a well made 18. Thors 42-3.
H. Choules and Geraghty added another 15 before the former was bowled by Singh which brought Coe to the crease. Coe showed his usual patience as Geraghty, after coming through some early LBW appeals, now looked like he was batting on a different wicket to anybody else.
With Thors into the 80s, Bertie Creer was introduced with the wind and the seamer bowled with a decent pace and got the ball to nibble off of the pitch. This was the undoing for Coe and at 82-5 nerves in the hutch started to creep back in.
Heard and Geraghty had other ideas though and despite some good bowling from Clyst, the pair looked comfortable. Creer learnt the hard way not to bowl short to an Australian as anything back of a length was pummelled to the rope by Jack.
As the total passed 100 and Jack passed 50 Thors were back on track. However it wouldn’t be Thorverton without another twist and after doing all of the hard work Heard walked past one and was stumped for 4 from 30 balls.
Next over saw another boundary for Jack followed by a single but Daldorph then fell first ball and it was 113-7.
With 14 needed to win Jopling was solid in defence against the short ball of Creer and spin of Singh. Another boundary for Jack relieved any final lingering doubts and the Aussie eventually got us over the line in style with a crucial 80 not out.
After three washouts in four weeks, the 2nd XI were fearful when they arrived at Station Ground to the increasingly familiar sight of covers on the pitch. Thankfully proceedings were not delayed & Thors would bowl first after winning the toss.
Broom struck just four balls into the game, a back of a length ball finding some extra bounce & the glove of opener James Poole & through to Meredith behind the stumps. With an impressive 80 in the return fixture, Thors were delighted to see Poole’s departure just two minutes after the start.
Whilst Gibbons plugged away from the River End, Broom picked up his and Thors’ second with the first ball of his second over, knocking back Newton’s middle peg for 2. Barnstaple 8-2.
Barnstaple had reached 26-2 from 8 overs when the heavens opened & both teams sought refuge in the dressing rooms. Play was interrupted for half an hour & the match was reduced to a 41 over a side affair.
Holm & Roe loitered after the restart despite a couple of close shouts from Gibbons wrapping the latter on the pads. Both were put down with hard chances for Baldock and Yelverton.
Stirling & Daldorph were introduced in a double bowling change & the former made the breakthrough, a rank full toss smashed straight in the air to the grateful Jefferson at midwicket, much to the skipper’s embarrassment; B&P 53-3 after 17.
Jimmer Thomas came to the wicket with more intent than his team mates, he & Rowe taking the score to 70-3 at drinks. Stirling then bowled Rowe for a well-made 40 with the score on 89.
Wakeley replaced Daldorph from the River End & despite being struck for 6 by keeper-batter Fewings, removed him next ball, bowled for his maiden Thorverton wicket. He doubled his account the next ball, bowling the incoming Poole first up & was on a hat-trick. Hastie saw out the hat-trick with a brave leave close to the off-stump. B&P 100-6.
That soon became 101-7 as Stirling had Hastie caught by Broom at mid-off in his last over, finishing with 3-15 from his 9. Broom was reintroduced as Wakeley picked up his third courtesy of an Imogen Daldorph catch; 112-8.
Thomas stuck around with the incoming Bashford to frustrate Thors & the run-rate increased, Thomas passing 50 in the process. The paid put on 49 before Bashford was run out trying to run a single to Broom at mid-off. Number 11 Elnaugh went in the exactly same fashion much to Broom’s delight & B+P were all out for 166 one over short of their allocated overs. Wakeley finishing with 3-40.
After a plentiful Stirling tea, Farley & Wakeley opened the reply which soon got off to a horrendous start, Wakeley caught behind on the pull, courtesy of a great Fewings catch. Jefferson was adjudged LBW to his first legitimate ball & Thors were 7-2 after two.
Elnaugh had his third wicket in his second over, castling Baldock. 17-3.
Shane Yelverton joined a comfortable looking Farley for the rebuild. The pair were patient but found the boundary at regular intervals, taking the score to 45-3 & Thors ahead of the rate after ten, as drizzle persisted & the ground was plunged into a gloomy light for some time.
Despite the darkness, they continued to look comfortable and chanceless as the score was 86-3 at drinks. Yelverton brought up his 50 as Thors looked comfortable at 123-3 after 27, needing 44 from the last 14 overs.
However easy the equation looked, it wasn’t going to be. Farley caught & bowled by Hastie for a well-made 47 that was deserving of a 50.
The incoming Baker was caught at cover for 1 off a leading edge, the Meredith was bowled first ball. Gibbons fell without scoring in the next over & Thors had stumbled from 127-3 to 133-7.
Stirling hung around with Yelverton for a few overs, taking Thors to within 13 required before being adjudged LBW for 5.
A solid looking Daldorph joined Yelverton, the latter finding the boundary in consecutive balls to take the required total to within 5.
A single from Daldorph and a crunched cut shot from Yelverton saw Thors over the line with 5 overs & two wickets to spare, much to the delight of the 2s & the 1st XI, back early from their win at Clyst St George. Yelverton finishing on a fantastic match-winning 80 not out from 83 balls.
The 20 point win sees the 2nd XI leapfrog Budleigh Salterton 2nd XI into the promotion places with three games to play. Next up in the run in is Whimple away, followed by a trip to Exeter & a home fixture against Topsham St James on the final day.
Thorverton Cricket Club 