We are delighted to report that our 3rd XI was re-elected to the Devon Cricket League at the DCL AGM last week, so Thorverton will field three league sides on a Saturday for the first time since 2017 and provide vital opportunities to our younger players to play competitive cricket.
3rd XI fixtures will be played at Clyst Hydon’s Merryfield Ground. We are extremely grateful to Clyst Hydon for the opportunity to play cricket on their ground.
The club and company AGMs took place on Monday 27th November at Rewe Social Club. The key changes in personnel are as follows:-
Treasurer
Bob Rice has stood down as treasurer following 15 years exceptional service to TCC; thank you Bob.
James Meredith was elected treasurer.
2nd XI Captain
Jack Stirling has stood down as 2nd XI captain after three years in the role. Rapidly emerging club legend Ben Coe will lead the 2nd XI for 2024.
Erin Vukusic made her international debut for Croatia Women against Czech Republic Women in Zagreb this weekend!
Erin captained the Croatia Women’s team in their first ever fixtures, playing 3 T10 matches against the Czech Republic.
Erin bowls for Croatia v Czech Republic, Zagreb
Erin’s contributions of 20* (19) and 16 (15) were not enough to give the Croatians their first wins as Czech Republic won all three games.
Her international debut rounds off another fine year for Erin who was recently selected for the Western Storm Regional Academy programme & also crowned Devon Women’s Player of the Year.
To date Erin has taken 32 wickets @ 25 & scored 70 runs @ 12 for our 2nd XI since making her debut in 2020.
The club & company’s annual general meetings are to take place on Monday 27th 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.
Bob Rice has decided to stand down as treasurer after 15 years of fantastic service to TCC. Jack Stirling has also stood down as 2nd XI captain.
Subject to league approval, we will be reintroducing our 3rd XI for the 2024 season & a captain will need to be appointed.
The current vacancies are as follows:-
Treasurer
2nd XI Captain
3rd XI Captain
Anyone who wishes to be considered for any of the vacant roles must e-mail seniors@thorvertoncricketclub.com with their proposer & seconder by Monday 20th 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 seniors@thorvertoncricketclub.com by Monday 20th November at the latest.
Current Officers
President – Charlie Andrews
Chair – Charles Kislingbury
Chief Executive Officer – James May
Vice-Chair – Jack Stirling
Secretary – Andy Pitt
Treasurer – Vacant
Fixture Secretary – James Meredith
1st XI Captain – Jake Choules
2nd XI Captain – Vacant
3rd XI Captain – Vacant
Women & Girls Coordinator – Keeley Wells
Club Development Officer – Alex Jopling
Membership Secretary – Jack Stirling
Safeguarding Officer – James May
Hon Auditors – Brays Accountants
Meeting Agenda
1. Chair’s Report & Address
2. Minutes of 2022 AGM
3. Matters Arising
4.1 1st XI Report
4.2 2nd XI Report
4.3 Sunday & Friendly Report
4.4 Women & Girls 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.
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.
Thorverton Cricket Club 