I am very much Looking forward to this years Softball League and Women’s cricket at Thorverton.
Last year was our first league season and it was great to see so many of us enjoying the Tuesday nights training, friendly’s and league matches. We narrowly missed out on winning the tournament that we hosted in September which was a great success.
The softball league in Devon has grown significantly.
This year we have been placed in the Central Division and will be facing some new and experienced teams.
Ladies Training will get underway on Tuesday 4th April 6.30 to 7.30pm and we welcome new members. We are also looking to offer some girls only training on a Tuesday evening before the ladies training and will be looking to enter one of the festivals this season.
I’m itching for the season to begin as the 2nd XI embark on the next stage of our development journey following our successes of last year. Celebrating on the field with the group following our title clinching win was one of my favourite TCC moments.
I am under no illusion that the D Division will pose a sterner test as we face off against sides our 1st XI have played in recent memory. In order to compete in a league with six 1st XI sides, we need the good availability of last season to continue into this term. The fantastic attitude of 1st XI regulars who dropped down to the 2s last year was a breath of fresh air and I look forward to this continuing.
My life was made considerably easier last season by the efforts of Alan & Rich as umpires and Bob as scorer. Thanks guys.
The on-field growth of the club in the last 5 years has been fantastic and we must now work on sustaining the levels of cricket at which we play. Our junior set up has been short of an ideal number volunteers for a few years and it would be great to see some new faces getting involved; it’s a rewarding & enjoyable experience. If the club is to maintain our current standing, a steady flow of youth is an absolute necessity & that cannot happen without adequate volunteers.
I look forward to seeing how our younger players continue to develop, in particular Erin Vukusic who has been selected for the Western Storm EPP, national U18 champion Imogen Daldorph following a great 2022 season with the ball & Henry Squire who has recently returned from the Devon U15s South Africa tour. I’m also eager to see how many of our U15 plate winning side can force their way into the 2s over the summer.
James Meredith & Keith Cudby have done a great job of compiling a healthy looking Sunday friendly fixture list. I would implore any young cricketers to make use of the opportunity to play in these matches, especially as we plan to reintroduce a 3rd XI over the next couple of seasons.
There was a fantastic atmosphere around the 2nd XI & the whole club last year. Let’s ensure the club continues to be such a great place to spend time.
On a final sadder note, I will miss being out in the field and spotting Denise Lesniak ambling down the lane wearing a smile on her way to the ground. Denny was an attendee of both 1st & 2nd XI fixtures in equal measure and she will be sorely missed by all of us. RIP Denise.
All the best to everyone for the season. Make happy memories. Go well.
I am pleased to say that we are coming off of another very successful season on the field. We met our aim of staying in the A Division whilst supporting the 2s in their successful promotion push. Selection was extremely tough at times for both sides with the 1s using 20 players overall. Well done and thank you to everybody involved last season.
In addition to the success of the 1s and 2s, it was great to see the development of the women’s softball team. It was great to see the support and respect between all of the sides. I challenge us to go one further next season and show more support to the junior set up. Can more senior members help out on a Friday evening or be there to support junior matches? After all, in any given Devon League XI 40-50% of the players have come through our junior system.
Last season Jason Van Der Meulen proved to be an incredible asset on and off the field as our overseas player. Jason has signed a deal to play in the Lancashire League this summer so we wish him well and hope to see him at Station Ground again one day.
This year I am pleased to have signed Jack Geraghty from Queensland, Australia (pending visa). Jack is a similar player to Jason as well as being a qualified coach and teacher. He is coming over with great recommendations from previous overseas players Dan Beatty and James Grady. I would also like to extend a huge thank you to Becky Rice for her continued committeemen to hosting.
Targets for the season have a theme of consolidation with both sides being relatively new to our divisions. The first priority for the 1s will be safety but if we perform to our potential then we can look to disrupt some of the big clubs in the top half. We start and end the season at city grounds Plymouth and Exeter – a real marker of how far we have come. Early signs indicate that there may be availability issues at the beginning and end of the season so please bear that in mind when booking holidays!
With consolidation the aim in the league, perhaps T20 can provide the most memorable moments in 2023. Last year we won the T20 mini league but crashed out of the Devon knockout cup in the first round at Bovey Tracey. This summer we have been handed a home draw for the first time post covid and I would love to see us make a name for ourselves in this competition, so please do make yourself available.
We have today approved the departure of Dave Hooper, who has joined Cullompton.
Guernsey international Hoops scored 47 runs @ 5.88 and took 9 wickets at 29.55 in 12 league appearances across two seasons with Thors.
Skipper Jake Choules – “Dave was a great asset on and off the field and great to have in the dressing room. It is a shame to see him go, particularly taking a step down, but we wish him all the best”
The club wishes Dave all the best for his future cricketing endeavours.
We are delighted to announce that 23 year old Queenslander Jack Geraghty has signed as our overseas player for the 2023 season. Jack is a number 4 batter & medium pace bowler. He’s also a qualified coach & will play an integral role in our juniors set up this year.
Jack plays his cricket for University of Queensland CC, home of former Thorverton overseas players James Grady & Dan Beatty.
You can learn more about Jack in his player profile below.
Highest score?
136 Not out
Best figures?
3-3
Favourite cricket moment?
Trying to bat for 2 days in a semi final, won the toss and batted. I got 36 off 236 and we batted 169 overs out of 192. Ended up winning the semi final and the grand final was cancelled due to covid. Making us the winners.
Worst cricket moment?
Dropping a catch in a one day semi final, straight after my good mate bowling said to me, “get ready it’s coming to you”. Dropped the catch, threw it back and said “well you did call it”
Favourite cricket tea food?
Coffee
Song recommendation?
6am by Channel tres
Tv or film recommendation?
Mr Mercedes
Cricketing idol?
Michael Clarke
Most used emoji?
😈
Other clubs played for?
Playing juniors at Kenmore, Valleys and UQCC. All senior cricket has been played at University of Queensland CC
What attracted you to Thorverton?
My good mates James Grady and Dan Beatty both have played seasons at Thorverton as overseas players and they both said they had an absolute blast.
We can’t wait to welcome Jack to Station Ground in April!
We are in the early stages of planning for a new pavilion project and an important part of this is consultation with key stakeholders – players, members, spectators, sponsors and local people.
Denise’s Funeral will be held at St Peter’s Chapel, Exeter Crematorium on Wednesday 7th December at 1.30pm.
As Denise loved her sport whether it was football, rugby and cricket , she has requested for everyone to wear something red and white or something that represent your own team/sport e.g rugby/football shirt, scarf, woolly hat or cap.
If you don’t have anything sporty, to wear something flowery or brightly coloured as we all wish to celebrate her life.
Thorverton Cricket Club 