The sun was shining and anticipation was in the air as the Devon League season belatedly got underway after last week’s wash out. Station Ground looked a picture so full credit goes to our ground team who have worked tirelessly in the testing weather conditions.

TCC gave league debuts to Billy Wakeley and Aussie overseas Jack Geraghty, lining up with: A.Pitt, G.Greed, B.Coe, J.Geraghty, H. Choules+, D.Robbins, B.Wakeley, G. Daldorph, B.Slaviero, A.Jopling, J. Choules*.

Picking up from last season Choules won the toss and elected to bowl. Slaverio was thrown the new ball from the pavilion end but the first ball bowled on the newly laid square was a wide.

Slaviero didn’t give the Tavistock openers an inch from there though, bowling consistent lines and lengths at a brisk pace. He struck with the 3rd ball of the game while Daldroph looked to shake off some rustiness at the river end. Opener Luffman was dropped at slip in the 3rd over and responded with some positive drives through the covers.

Slavs kept toiling and had danger man Dave Manning trapped LBW at the end of the 7th over – 25-2.

Geraghty and the skipper were introduced at the end of the 1st powerplay. Tavistock struggled to score off the bat against Jack’s swinging ball but were helped by some extras as Thors continued to settle in.

Choules picked up a wicket right on the drinks break which was quickly followed by Jopling removing Luffman for 29. Suddenly Tavistock were under pressure at 77-5.

Opposition captain Charlie Barriball sought to counter attack with some success including 3 impressive sixes. Choules picked up 2 more in the meantime before Daldorph and Slaverio were introduced to deal with counter attacking Barriball. Daldorph had his man clean bowled bringing the score to 124-8.

Slaverio made light work of the tail and Tavistock finished on 135 all out after 40 overs.

Following a terrific Keeley tea, Pitt and Robbins began the chase. Robbins being promoted from the previously advertised line up in order to take the game to the opposition.

There was an immediate hiccup however as Pitt was caught out by a slower ball in the first over. It could have been worse only for Robbins to be dropped by Tavi keeper Dave Manning – a real collector’s item. Greed and Robbins appeared unphased however with the score reaching 41 before Robbins finally went for 23.

Greed continued to show patience and ran extremely well with the incoming Geraghty. Greed was unlucky to play on with the score on 97 but by now Thorverton were closing in on the win.

There was a wobble when H. Choules and Coe came and went but the ever present Jack brought up his 50 in the meantime. Billy Wakeley (10*) showed impressive intent as the two debutantes got us over the line – 19 points.

Scorecard

League Table

Post match, the skipper surmised:
“Really important to start off with a win so we can take some confidence into the season. Still some rustiness to shake off with bat and ball (30 extras) but 2 great individual performances from Ben Slaviero and Jack got us over the line.”

Next week the 1s follow in the 2s footsteps with a trip to Budleigh Salterton’s new ground as 1st in the A Division host 2nd.

Both of our 1st XI & 2nd XI fixtures have been abandoned without a ball being bowled today due to rain. The 1st XI were due to travel to Mount Wise to take on Plymouth 1st XI, whilst the 2nd XI were due to host Upottery 1st XI.

Next Saturday sees us try to start the league season at the second attempt as the 1st XI host Tavistock 1st XI & the 2nd XI travel to Budleigh Salterton’s new abode The Holt.

We have approved the transfer of Tom Diamond, who has left the club to join West of England Premier League side Hinton Charterhouse.

Tom joined in 2021 & was an integral part of the B Division & Corinthian Cup double winning side that year, scoring 298 runs @ 27.09.

He followed up in 2022 with an impressive 364 runs in 9 innings @ 52, including 3 half-centuries.

Tom also took nine 1st XI wickets @ 24.22 over his two seasons at the club, alongside 12 dismissals in the field.

Overall TCC stats:-

692 runs @ 38.4, 3 x 50, Highest Score 84 v Exmouth, 2022

9 wickets @ 29.11. Best bowling 3-33 v Dartington & Totnes, 2021

12 dismissals (10 catches & 2 run outs)

Skipper Jake Choules:- “Tommy will be greatly missed, he brought a good energy to the group. He was a key part of the double winning squad and his batting at number 3 last season was a revelation. We wish him all the best with his next challenge”

We wish Tom all the best in his future cricketing endeavours & hope to see him at Station Ground again soon.

The continuing wet weather has forced the cancellation of our final pre-season friendly at at home to Sandford which was scheduled for Saturday 29th April.

This also unfortunately means the postponement of Community Cream Tea day.

The Devon Cricket League season starts next Saturday, as the 1st XI travel to Plymouth & 2nd XI host Upottery.

We hope that everybody had a great time at the race night on Saturday, raising vital start up costs for the club.

It wouldn’t have been possible without our race sponsors so thank you to:

Energy Systems SW Ltd

Paws for Pleasure

The Exeter Inn, Thorverton

The Berry Dairy, Thorverton

Mosaic Rwanda

Bob Rice

Kislingbury Property Consultants

Thorverton Arms, Thorverton

Also a huge thank you to all of our volunteers but in particular to:

Lucy & Tamsin for running the door. Mary, Louise, Issac, Jimmy & Tammi for running the tote. Sally & Penny for the food. Phil for running the races. Keeley for all of her hard work organising the evening.The memorial hall for hosting us & Andy, Ben & Bob for compering and auctioning.

Keep your eyes peeled for more events over the summer including a community cream tea at the ground this Saturday.

After the washout at Exmouth last week, the cricket season finally got underway at Kensham Park against the newly amalgamated & current Premier Division champions Bradninch & Kentisbeare. With an ominous looking sky & a bleak forecast for the afternoon, captains Jake Choules & Gary Chappell agreed a T20 should take place rather than the planned 45 overs to ensure both sides benefitted from a chance to both bat & bowl.

Choules won the toss and elected to bat. Thors lined up as a XII – A.Pitt, D.Robbins, B.Coe, J.Geraghty, H.Choules+, L.Vukusic, S.Jefferson, G.Daldorph, J.Porter, B.Slaviero, J.Choules*, J.Stirling.

Pitt & Robbins opened the season for Thors, Mitch Pugh bowling a maiden at Pitt & newly acquired overseas player Yuvraj Singh conceded just three off his first over to leave Thors 3-0 after 2. Pitt was the first to go, impatiently gifting a catch to Josh Farley off the bowling of Pugh for 1.

Robbins upped the rate with a flurry of boundaries including a six over deep backward square before falling to an outstanding diving catch at midwicket by Elliot Acton, running around from mid on. Robbins out for 22 off 14 & Yuvraj Singh had his first wicket on English soil, leaving Thors 31-2 after 5.

Coe & Geraghty quietly offered some stability to the innings before Coe was caught by Thacker off the bowling of Ross Acton for 12 from 19. Harry Choules joined Geraghty as the visitors reached 43-3 at the halfway mark. The pair ran well with intent before Choules fell to Farley, caught Chappell for 7 from 17.

Geraghty went on the attack against the change bowlers, ably supported by Luke Vukusic. Both timed the ball superbly, Geraghty finding the boundary regularly courtesy of some superb late cuts.

Thors pushed through to the final two overs with the score at 93-4. Vukusic was bowled by the returning Singh for a well made 17 from 19. Geraghty hit a couple more boundaries & Thors finished on 109-6 after Jefferson was stumped for 1 off Farley. Geraghty 40 not out from 37, an impressive first knock on English soil.

Bradninch opened the reply with the experienced Chappell & Piper taking the attack to the new ball pairing of Slaviero & Daldorph, adding 36-0 off the first four overs; Piper in particular timing the ball well and finding the boundary three times from Daldorph’s first over. Chappell (14 from 16) was the first man to go, caught by Robbins at slip after Slaviero found the outside edge to make it 36-1.

Yuvraj Singh came in at three as Choules replaced Daldorph. Slaviero picked up his second wicket as Piper (20 from 12) pulled him to the safe hands of Geraghty at deep midwicket. Singh (6 from 15) followed in the next over, smashing Choules down Porter’s throat at deep midwicket after the pressure had built.

After Slaviero had bowled 4 overs straight through (2-14), a solitary over for Daldorph conceding just one allowed a change of ends for Choules & Stirling came into the attack & immediately struck to remove Ross Acton caught behind for 5, the hosts 50-4 at the halfway stage.

A couple of tight overs followed from the spin pairing, Eliot Acton & Pugh struggling to get the ball away. The pressure became too much for Pugh (9 from 23) as he smashed Choules to Pitt at extra cover in his last over, finishing with figures of 2-21 from his four over. Stirling bowled Farley for 0 in the next over to leave Bradninch 67-6.

Ankit Badwal joint Acton and both released the pressure with their usual attacking intent, taking 11 from a sole Vukusic over, then 13 from Stirling’s last over (2-24), leaving the hosts requiring 15 from the last 4 overs.

Robbins replaced Vukusic and conceded 9 from the next. Acton (25 from & Badwal (16 from ) retired not out.

Pitt (1-5) took the wicket of the incoming Darren Paul (stumped Choules for 4) after he had reverse swept him for four to virtually seal the game. Daldorph (1-25)then bowled Thacker for 1 before the winning runs were hit with Bradninch 8 wickets down & 8 balls to spare. Thors allowed Bradninch to bat out their overs to allow extra time in the middle. The rain started within 5 minutes of the games conclusion, proving a T20 had been the best option.

SCORECARD

Thors skipper Jake Choules:- “Huge thanks to Bradninch for getting the game on. I felt it was a useful pre season run out for both sides. Jack was impressive, timing the ball well on a difficult pitch. Hopefully we started to shake off some rustiness in the field with Jack Stirling being pick of the bowlers for me. Hopeful of a longer run out at home to Sandford next week”

All credit must go to Bradninch & Kentisbeare’s groundsman for making the ground playable. Thanks to Rich Lloyd and Jimmy May for braving the at times Arctic elements & scoring & umpiring.

Next up for Thors is a 50 over home friendly against Premier Division runners up Sandford next Saturday (29th) as we play the first fixture on our newly relaid square.

Saturday’s 2nd XI friendly against Bradninch & Kentisbeare 2nd XI at Rectory Park, Kentisbeare has fallen foul of the weather. The ground has been unable to be prepared due to the deluge of rain throughout recent weeks.

Saturday’s 1st XI friendly against Bradninch & Kentisbeare’s 1st XI at Kensham Park is still set to go ahead as planned, but check here for further updates.

A reminder that Race Night takes place on Saturday night at Thorverton Memorial Hall

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to our 2023 season.

I hope I find everyone in good spirit and ready to enjoy a summer of good cricket and friendship. There is quite a bit of news I would like to share with you so here goes.

Let’s start with news that we have re-laid our square.

The Committee decided to address the repeated challenges the grounds team were reporting and having taken professional advice took the bold decision to dig up and relay the square. This involved addressing the deficiencies of the sub soil; levelling the square and introducing specialist grass seed. Following an intense work period utilising the skills of a specialist contractor we now have a square that should rival any in the County and more significantly provide a legacy for future generations to benefit from. A recent ECB Pitch Inspection has endorsed the progress which has been made. 

Thank you to all involved.

We are very fortunate to have such a committed and hard-working grounds team that take great pride in their work. This is evident to see from the exceptional presentation of the ground which is so much enjoyed not only by our members but from our many visitors. Please join me and make sure you say THANK YOU to the team of PJ; Hilly; Charlie; Keith and others who work so hard for you.

Laying a new square has re-ignited an energy to revisit the feasibility of replacing the clubhouse. A working group has been formed and chaired by Jops. Together the group have already reached some new feasibility milestones and have set the first benchmark of securing a planning consent. Planning has yet to be submitted however it is hoped having secured a planning consent we will be well placed to secure the significant funding required to build the clubhouse. Your views and support will be sought in due course so please engage in the process. The working group and readers of this should be under no illusions of the task ahead in securing funding but are to be congratulated on the progress to date. Keep at Jops and team.

A key part of the funding success will be demonstrating community benefit and inclusivity. Our recently formed Ladies section and our renewed Clubmark status are excellent examples of this work in action. Central to embedding these values and culture within the Club has been Jimmy May.

Jimmy has been instrumental in reshaping the club and its values ensuring we are truly inclusive, and that cricket is accessible to all. He remains a tireless champion of these values not only at TCC but across a much wider audience. It therefore gave me great pleasure to confer Honorary Life Membership upon Jimmy at the clubs annual Dinner Dance. This is the clubs highest honour and our recognition of the time Jimmy has dedicated to TCC and everyone who wants safe access to cricket. Please do congratulate and thank Jimmy when you see him – he deserves it.

I feel the Club is very fortunate to have such motivated members and active supporters however it is always prudent to keep looking ahead and planning for the future. As I have set out above there are some significant projects and decision making to be taken over the coming years and succession and continuity will be key parts of that process. I am therefore pleased to report that three new directors were appointed at the clubs AGM in November. Congratulations and thank you to Mrs Nic Fice; James Hope; and Jack Stirling who between them bring an exciting breadth and depth of knowledge and contacts. As directors of the company they are the custodians of the Club and sit outside the committee providing counsel on strategic direction. Their role is also as ambassadors for the club promoting our vision values and ambitions. The Club now has six directors myself; Jimmy May and Mike Denford being the other three.

Our two senior Saturday sides will this year be competing in the A Division and D Division East and our Ladies team enjoying their second season of competitive league cricket. The 1^st XI enjoyed a very competitive 2022 season finishing a credible 6^th in the A Division and our 2^nd XI securing promotion as champions. There was also success in the 20:20 format winning their league. The ladies section continues to go from strength to strength attracting more participants and we are hoping for continued success again this season.

For our 2023 season we extend a warm welcome to Jack Geraghty as our overseas cricketer. Hailing from Queensland Australia Jack is a 23 year old all rounder. Comfortable as a top order batsman he can also bowl a brisk medium pace. Jack is also a qualified coach and studying to become a teacher.

Welcome to Thorverton, the UK and Devon Jack. Enjoy your time with us and look forward to you making many memories to take home you. Good luck.

I must at this juncture extend a very genuine thank you to Becky Rice who very selflessly not only hosted Jason last year but has very kindly extended the same invitation to Jack this year. Becky we are very grateful.  Thank you.

As I have already mentioned the Club is very fortunate to have such hard working members which may I remind everyone is a voluntary role. It was therefore with great joy that we learnt that Bob Rice; Imogen Daldorph and Isaac May were all recognised by Devon Cricket at their annual awards for their contribution to the game. Congratulations and thank you.

Much of the clubs recent successes have been founded upon the strength and depth of our youth section with many of the clubs senior posts and offices being held by those coming through the ranks. It is incumbent upon me to remind you of the importance this section and to encourage everyone to invest in our future. The range of opportunities that require support include helping organise matches, learning to score, assisting with admin on a Friday evening, catering or even coaching.  We are always in need of more volunteers and leaders so please step forward as your club needs you.

Sadly each season we learn of friends and former members who’s innings have permanently closed. For those who passed in the last year we remember you and thank you for your contribution to our club. One of those members was Denise Lesniak who adopted Thorverton CC alongside Exeter City and Exeter Chiefs as her team. Denise or Denny as she was known embodied how sport should be celebrated and was a shining example of the fellowship and friendship you can foster. RIP Denny.

As I conclude my 2023 welcome message it is always difficult to capture every aspect so apologies for any oversight it was certainly not intentional.

My best wishes to everyone for a fun filled and enjoyable 2023 season.

CK

Chair  

Unsurprisingly, following the recent conditions our friendly at Exmouth on Saturday has been called off due to the persistent wet weather making it impossible to get the host’s Maer Ground fit for play.

We remain hopeful of a decent pre-season as we field two XIs away at newly amalgamated Bradninch & Kentisbeare next Saturday & host Premier Division runners up Sandford on 29th April.

We would like to invite all residents of Thorverton & the wider community to enjoy a complimentary cream tea during our friendly fixture at home to Sandford on Saturday 29th April.

The fixture will showcase some great local cricket as we take on last year’s Devon League runners up from 12:30pm

The club is keen to open it’s doors to all to showcase what we have to offer from a social membership point of view & to aid establishing long-lasting connections with the community. The bar will be open and teas & coffees will be available.

From an on-field point of view, we have open age teams playing league & friendly cricket, women’s softball cricket and junior cricket for ages 5-16. If you’re keen to give cricket a go, please get in touch!

Whether you’re a staunch cricket fan or are yet to learn your yorkers from your googlies, we would love to see you at the ground on Saturday 29th April. Why not bring a friend?

If you can’t make the 29th April, admission is free to all of our league fixtures, weekly on Saturdays from 6th May until 2nd September, so feel free to join us to watch some cricket!

Please note both the fixture & cream tea day are dependent on the weather – if this fixture & the cream tea day is cancelled, we will communicate this via our website & social media platforms.