Ben Slaviero led the side for the short trip to Cullompton: A.Pitt, D.Robbins, A. Kingdon, S. Yelverton, H.Choules, G. Daldorph, B.Heard, S. Jefferson, F. Fenner, B. Slaviero, A. Jopling. 

The home side won the toss and chose to field on a green, but recently rolled, pitch and dry outfield. The slow left arm of Vincent caused trouble in the first over, a return catch was put down and one ball later Pitt was gone, chipping up to Parr at cover. 

Robbins and Kingdon settled into their work, punishing anything loose to the short boundaries and forcing the early bowling change. J.Parr toiled from the pavilion end and got his reward, a good delivery just taking the bail of Robbins’ off stump, 42-1.

The leg spin of Bharadwaj was introduced and he found some purchase from the pitch. Yelverton and Kingdon batted sensibly though, respecting the good deliveries whilst cutting anything short to the fence. It took a well executed googly from Bharadwaj to dismiss Yelverton for 28. Choules joined Kingdon and immediately dispatched a wide full toss for 4, he was trudging back a few balls later though, this time a leg break turning through the gate. 106-3 at the halfway drinks break. 

Daldorph and Kingdon saw out the rest of Bharadwaj as Cullompton began to rotate bowlers. With the game in the balance Kingdon brought up his first 50 for the club as the game went into the last 20 overs. He fell soon after though, pulling a long-hop and somehow finding the boundary rider, 141-4. Having played himself in Daldorph was now beginning to hit his stride, regularly finding the boundary in bringing up his 50. Heard joined in on the act, taking a particular liking to the medium pace of Rendall as the innings went into the last ten. The return of Vincent caused a lapse in concentration though and Heard was on his way for 28. Jefferson was the next man in with another 50 needed from 7 overs for the final batting point. 

The pair had other ideas though, taking 38 from the next 3 overs, clearing the rope straight and hitting hard square. Another bowling change only encouraged Daldorph who struck 6, 4, 6 off Arulvendan as he accelerated into the 80s and the score flew past 250. He went one better in the 48th over, Parr dispatched into the car park, then over the club house and then back into the car park for three consecutive sixes to bring up an extraordinary maiden DCL 100 from 74 balls. It was met with rapturous applause from his teammates, far less appreciation from the deflated Cully fielders. 

13 from the penultimate over continued the momentum before Daldorph skied one going for another maximum, departing for 107. Jefferson finished the innings off with a maximum over cover, his well-made 36 from 20 taking Thors to 299-7. 

On a ground renown for high scores Thors knew that it was very much a job half done as they took to the field. It was almost the perfect start in the first over, Raheja chipping one back but it not quite sticking for a diving Slaviero. Cullysnumber one ended up facing the first three overs and struck four boundaries to rub salt into the wounds. When Bharadwaj did eventually get some strike it was clear he was going to go hard at everything, a plan that didn’t last long as Slaviero caught the edge – easily pouched by Choules, 32-1.

King joined Raheja and the two left handers batted sensibly against the introduction of Heard, Yelverton and then Pitt. At the halfway stage the score was 119-1.

The home side came out more attacking after drinks, King particularly starting to use his feet to good effect. Daldorphwas re-introduced and managed to get the breakthrough, a perfectly executed slower ball takings Kings middle stump. 

Overseas professional Dias was now at the crease with the well-set Raheja as a couple of half chances came and went for Thors, close run-out shies and a tough under edge behind the stumps. Slaviero rotated the bowlers, not wanting the battersto settle, but a boundary ball an over stemmed any pressure. 

A wicket did eventually come, an ambitious attempt at a single to third man resulting in Raheja being run out for 87, the score 197-3 with 15 to go. 

It was now the home team skipper Parr at the crease with Dias. With the field back they picked up regular singles and continued to capitalise on the loose deliveries, pummelling them to the boundary. The Thors fielding was not at its best, the parched outfield making it difficult to pick up cleanly, much to the delight of the home supporters. Both batters passed their half centuries as Salviero rolled the dice for the last time through Daldorph, Yelverton and himself. The home pair continued with the rate though, and despite Thors being certain they had Parr caught behind, the captain finished a well-timed run chase to win with an over to spare. 

Scorecard

League Table

Thors take 6 points and remain third by 9 points with Cullompton and Bovey Tracey hot on the heels. Next week is the visit of high-flying Tavistock.

The Energy Systems Player of the Month for July 2025 was awarded to 16 year old Nathan Buckeridge prior to yesterday’s 3rd XI fixture for his 104* against Teignmouth & Shaldon 3rd XI. Nathan celebrated it in style, smashing 114 against Babbacombe 3rd XI!

Nathan has enjoyed a stellar year at the top of the order for the 3rd XI, scoring 357 runs at an average of 59.5. Including one game for the 2nd XI & U15s, Nathan has struck 567 runs at 51.55, including two hundreds and two 50s.

Well done Nathan!

The 1st XI made 4 changes for the trip to Bovey Tracey, lining up with: A. Kingdon, H. Squire, B. Heard, S. Yelverton, H. Choules+, G. Daldorph, F. Fenner, B. Slaviero, J. Choules*, S. Tait, J. Stirling.

The home side won the toss and elected to bowl first in cloudy conditions. The flag at Bovey Tracey was at half mast and a minute silence was observed by both teams to remember a club legend who sadly passed in the week prior to taking the field.

Kingdon looked in the mood from the outset against his old club when he timed Kay for a boundary in the first over. However, Pryke took full advantage of the conditions for the hosts by getting the ball to swing and seam from the off. He got Squire via the outside edge first over to leave Thors 6-1 from 2.

Heard, deservedly promoted up the order after some solid performances, weathered the storm well while Kingdon continued to accumulate at the other end. At the end of the opening powerplay, the total reached 29-1.

After doing much of the hard work, Heard was trapped LBW to Pryke in the 12th. A change at the Pavilion End did nothing to slow down Kingdon and incoming Yelverton got in on the act when he drove Ansley for 3 consecutive 4s. However, the opposition skipper had his man next ball when Shane was caught behind. Thors 52-3 from 15.

Harry Choules joined Kingdon and saw out the rest of Pryke’s 10 over spell, managing to drive him away for 2 boundaries in his weary final over. The partnership looked promising and in control until Kingdon was agonisingly caught at point for a well made 48.

Daldorph and Choules sensibly edged to the halfway point as the score reached 90-4 and the game finely balanced. Daldorph upped the rate after the break, showing little respect to the change bowling. Choules would’ve been frustrated to be caught for a patient 20 just prior to the 3rd batting point coming up. Daldorph brought up his half century around the same time before Fenner also found himself caught without troubling the score.

Slaviero came and went when he picked the fielder from a full toss and with the skipper entering the fray, Daldorph decided to get on with things. He took 2 6s in a row in the 44th as he and Choules did well to keep George on strike. There was another boundary to bring him to 75 but the re-introduction of Kay was his eventual undoing.

Choules and Tait shared a few singles before the latter was caught and bowled. When Stirling went first ball, the innings ended abruptly at 183AO with 3 overs unbowled.

The heavy roller was brought on at tea and, despite a maiden to start from Slaviero, it seemed to work wonders. The Bovey openers were positive as Slavs and Daldorph got used to running in on more uneven ground than they are used to, the boundary being found regularly. There were plenty of aerial shots and one or two snicks through third man which gave the skipper encouragement to stick with his strike bowlers but at 66-0 after 10, change was needed.

Yelverton managed to get the ball to do a little more in the air but conditions clearly favoured the bat now. After a few tight overs between him and the skipper, Yelverton was rewarded when he wrapped Mount on the pad who went for a positive 40 from 29 balls. The pair were able to keep things even tighter from here and when Yelverton got another to swing to remove Pascoe in the 19th, Thors had fought back at 81-2.

Stirling replaced Choules who moved to Yelverton’s end with Stirs all over Bradley in his second over which included big shouts for LBW, for caught behind and a put down caught and bowled chance. Bradley and overseas star Van Staden made it to drinks though as the total reached 98-2.

Bovey remained in control but Thors has shown some fight. The drinks break seemed to come at a bad time though with bowlers not hitting the same accuracy as before the break. Choules rotated his bowlers regularly trying to make the breakthrough and it was Slaviero who eventually scalped Bradley for 12. However, Bovey were now within 50 runs with 20 overs still to bowl.

Van Staden found another gear as the total got closer and but for a chance going down off of Yelverton, looked in control for his club. There was a promising spell for Tait in the closing stages but Andrew (29*) hit the winning runs with 6 and a half overs to spare.

Scorecard

League Table

Thors well-beaten and pick up only 4 bonus points. With Hatherleigh winning, we slip to third, 10 points ahead of Bovey Tracey in 4th. Next week we host 2nd bottom Plympton who will be looking to do the double over Thors to ease their relegation worries.

The 1st XI were unchanged from the win over Hatherleigh last week as last season’s runners up, Bridestowe & Belstone, visited Station Ground. Team: L. Vukusic, D. Robbins, A. Kingdon, S. Yelverton, H. Choules+, G. Daldorph, S. Jefferson, B. Heard, B. Slaviero, A. Jopling, J. Choules*.

In his 200th 1st XI appearance, the skipper lost the toss and his opposite number elected to bowl. It looked like a good decision from the outset when Robbins fell LBW in the first over. Skipper Tallan Burns and Tom Fogerty bowled tightly for their club as Vukusic and Kingdon patiently built in the early exchanges but Vukusic was caught behind in the 8th over to leave Thors 14-2.

As the powerplay drew to a close, Kingdon started to flow, timing a couple of drives to the boundary. The increased pressure brought about some extras allowing Thors to finally get going. However, progress stalled again when Kingdon (20) chipped one back to Harrison from the youngster’s first ball. Incoming Harry Choules went next over, unlucky to play-on from a full toss. A troubling start at 48-4.

After the 17 over drink break, Daldorph sought to bring the attack to the visitors with some foot movement but was undone when Harrison got one to move in the air for his second wicket of the day. Yelverton was steadily accumulating from the other end, finding the boundary from Penberthy’s extra pace in particular, but things went from bad to worse when Jefferson came and went – Thors now 64-6.

Heard joined Yelverton who despatched a loose ball out of the ground but couldn’t repeat the feat next over when he didn’t connect with another short ball, leaving him caught for 26. Bridestowe tails would have been up at 80-7 but Slaviero supported Heard patiently as the pair ticked the scoreboard along in the middle overs. The 100 came up with 17 overs to go as attention moved to the 3rd batting point (150). It looked a tough ask when Slaviero was caught for 14 a couple of covers later but Jopling was dogged in his defence against his old club.

The Number 10 and Heard frustrated the visitors and were able to free the arms more when seam was reintroduced. With Thors 121-8 with 10 to go, the partnership went from strength to strength in the closing stages with the third batting point coming up in the 48th over as Heard added another single to his tally. Jopling made a useful 12 from 41 balls before he had to go in the penultimate over, caught on the rope trying to get on with things.

A couple of singles between the incoming skipper and Heard meant the youngster would be on strike for the final Glasgow over. After a swiftly run 2, Heard clubbed two switch hits in a row over point to add 8 more to the tally. He couldn’t make it three from three and a single left Choules on strike. He also moved around his crease but could only manage 1 before Heard (37) was caught on the final ball – Thors recovering to 167 all out from exactly 50 overs.

After tea, Slaviero got to grips with the breeze but still caused problems early, as did Daldorph who scalped Ewen caught at second slip thanks to a smart grab by Yelverton. Now in their rhythm, the Thors openers beat the bat regularly and when catches went down in the slips just as regularly, the filling Station Ground might have wondered if it would be one of those days.

Eventually Slaviero removed P. Penberthy to open an end up before Daldorph had another to dismiss Hatton next over. A good start for Thors as Bridestowe reached 24-3 after 10 but with overseas star Glasgow in with the skipper, Thors felt there was a long way to go. The pair were controlled but struggled to rotate the strike until Glasgow moved across his stumps to the change bowling of Yelverton who wrapped the pads – 28-4.

Jopling kept things extremely tight at the River End while Shane continued to cause problems. The South African had another big wicket when Burns edged behind to Harry Choules. Bridestowe remained defensive and it was another 5 overs before Yelverton struck again – Sam Jefferson making no mistake at cover.

Despite his 3rd wicket, the skipper replaced the tiring Yelverton and continued to keep things tight in tandem with Jopling. Jops eventually had a deserved wicket when Woods finally holed out to Robbins at mid off for 6 from 43 balls. With the visitors now 51-7, the spin duo tidied things up in quick succession via safe hands from Vukusic and a smart grab down the leg side from Harry Choules. The final wicket fittingly went to Choules when he bowled Mallett to round off his 200th appearance.

Scorecard

League Table

Thors pick up 18 points and remain 2nd in the A Division with the top 3 all winning. Third placed Hatherleigh joined the iPod shuffle event for a few celebratory drinks on their way home from Cullompton – with 6 games to go, both clubs are holding off saying the P word for now.

Next week Thors are back on the road as we visit 4th placed Bovey Tracey in what is expected to be a tough test.

The Energy Systems Player of the Month for June 2025 was awarded to Dan Robbins for his match-winning 121 from 93 balls against Kilmington.

Robbo has struck 249 runs @ 27.67 so far this season, alongside 8 wickets @ 30.5.

Honourable mentions during the discussion for the award were George Daldorph for his century against Sandford in the Mid Devon T20, and league 5fas for David Baldock, 5-12 v Newton Tracey & Craig Risdon’s 5-40 v Stokeinteignhead.

There were 3 changes for the 1st XI who took on second place Hatherleigh in a top of the table clash. Team: L. Vukusic, D. Robbins, A. Kingdon, S. Yelverton, H. Choules+, G. Daldorph, S. Jefferson, B. Heard, B. Slaviero, A. Jopling, J. Choules*.

A minute silence was held pre match in memory of Devon Cricket legend David. Gambie.

After winning the toss, Thorverton would bat first on the hottest Saturday of the year so far. The in-form Vukusic put away three boundaries in the opening over to give his side an instant advantage. He found the boundary again a couple of overs later when Robbins also got in on the act while the opening stand was aided by 5 wides to race to 39-0 from 7 overs before Robbins was caught behind. Kingdon then came and went, falling in the final ball of the opening powerplay as the total reached 44-2.

Vukusic and Yelverton rotated the strike well, pushing for 2s inside the relatively small boundaries as the hosts went defensive with their fields. Just after the 17 over drinks break, Vukusic pulled a ball for 6 past the pavilion and into the car park to move to 48. A spare ball was required and it was the undoing of Vukusic who was caught behind next ball. H. Choules joined Yelverton who had his own maximum when he dispatched Wood square of the wicket. The left hand / right hand pair continued to accumulate and reached a solid 107-3 at the halfway point.

They continued scoring at a comfortable 5 an over without taking many risks before seeking to up the rate as we entered the last 20, Shane bringing up his half century in the process. Choules was eventually caught on the rope for a useful 31 as the total reached 146-4 with 15 to go.

The big wicket of Daldorph came a couple of overs later when Ghosh got one to turn heavily and come back through the gate. Yelverton, however, did well to keep the pressure on the hosts with an array of boundaries around the ground. The saffa took a particular liking to Presswell with one six going out of the ground and over the adjacent A Road. 175-5 became 178-6 when Jefferson was undone by a smart diving catch.

Bobby Heard joined Shane and as he strolled in he revealed that he hadn’t netted for a few weeks but felt confident thanks to plenty of shadow batting. His confidence wasn’t misplaced as he and Shane rotated well with the latter continuing to find the boundary regularly. Heard got involved when he took Ghosh for 9 in an over to bring up the 200 which included a cheeky reverse sweep.

The pair went hard in the final 5, much to the enjoyment of their teammates in the shade. The were able to gave rapturous applause to Shane who raised his bat for his first league century on the first ball of the 49th over – striking 5 4s and 5 6s in the process. He did finally fall in the last over as Slaviero and Heard (23*) gave Thors a score of 244-7.

The hosts had chased some big scores at home this season so would have fancied their chances after the famous Hatherleigh tea. It would be a different prospect starting against Thors’ ever-reliable opening bowlers though and Slaviero almost gave the visitors a dream start when he wrapped Quick on the pad 2nd ball. The umpire was unmoved but Slaviero had his man in his next over when middle stump went flying out of the ground. Never to be outdone, Daldorph found the outside edge of the opposition captain as Shane held on sublimely at second slip. He then had the big wicket of Davies when off stump went flying a few overs later.

Hatherleigh in trouble at 4-3 but Thors knew there was a long way to go, particularly with Ghosh at the crease – the pro striking an unbeaten ton at Station Ground in May. Ghosh and Jasper Presswell negotiated the rest of the powerplay cautiously as the score reached 18-3 from 10. The skipper replaced Slaviero, hoping some off spin would put pressure on left handed Ghosh but he sought to take the attack to Thors, sweeping well and attacking the short straight boundary on occasion. Yelverton kept things tight from the other end until Choules had the prize wicket right on drinks via Vukusic running in and diving forwards at mid off. Hatherleigh 42-4.

Incoming Wood planted the very next ball for a maximum over mid off before Jopling replaced Yelverton at the other end. With mid off back, Thors came within a fingertip to removing Wood who continued to attack the short boundary. Things were less dramatic at Jopling’s end until Wood drilled one to Yelverton to give Thors number 5.

Robbins, replacing Choules, found a way of removing Presswell when Tidball clubbed one back to him and he flicked it onto the stumps with a right boot, running out Presswell at the non strikers. With Hatherleigh 80-6, Jopling and Robbins were able to keep things tight in the middle overs until the score became 110-6 with 20 to go.

Charlie Presswell and Tidball rebuilt well, however, and became difficult to remove with the left hand / hand right partnership giving Thors the run around at points. Slaviero tried a couple before Jopling had a deserved second when a change of field tempted him to sky one to Shane for his 3rd catch of the afternoon.

The incoming but injured Heard was only going to bat one way and got his side back into the game with some clean hitting. He struck a run a ball 22 before George removed him thanks to Robbins’ safe hands. Hatherleigh now had an outside chance though at 170-8 with 10 to go.

The tired and sore Yelverton was required to run in for the closing stages and put his body through some pain for his team. Daldorph and Slaviero rotated at the other end with all three seamers keeping things suitably tight but there was pressure as Hatherleigh ran well and provided some scares via the odd boundary. Shane had a 4th catch and Daldorph had a 4th wicket to give Thors number 9 but the 10th wicket was also hard to come by. It wasn’t until the last over when Slaviero cleaned up Letheren that Hatherleigh were finally beaten. A fitting end as the wicket was Slav’s 200th league wicket for the club.

Scorecard

League Table

Thanks go to Bob Rice in the scorebox as well as our hosts and officials for facilitating the game.

Thors leapfrog Hatherleigh into 2nd after the 100 over slog ahead of a home game against Bridestowe next week.

With the Choules brothers away for the weekend there were two changes to the 1st XI led by Ben Slaviero: L. Vukusic+, D. Robbins, A. Kingdon, S. Yelverton, A. Pitt, G. Daldorph, S. Jefferson, H. Squire, B. Slaviero*, A. Jopling, S. Tait.

Andy Kingdon was presented with his 1st XI cap having reached 5 DCL appearances this season. 

The early forecasted rain avoided the Station Ground and, having won the toss, the visitors elected to take to the field – all be it with 10 players with one running late. 

Openers Vukusic and Robbins started as they had last week, exploiting the powerplay and quick outfield to regularly send the ball to the fence. Harfords early short ball tactics were enjoyed by the pair and forced an early bowling change. Robbins was seeing the ball particularly well and muscled back-to-back boundaries off Last to take Thors to 40-0 from just 6 overs. He was dismissed the next over though, a skier excellently caught by Lipton running at full pace and clinging on over his shoulder. 

Kingdon joined Vukusic and continued to put away the odd loose delivery from the Barton seamers. A brief rain break took an over off each innings and allowed the visitors to re-group. The introduction of Kamunhukamwe stemmed the flow of runs as the off-spinner quickly got into a consistent rhythm. He got his reward in the 17th over, bowling Vukusicfor a well made 32. Yelverton was then gone next over, carving one to backward point where it was well caught by Watkin, 72-3. Pitt and Kingdon began the rebuild, spin now in operation at both ends. The latter planted Bowker over top to bring up the 100 but it was Barton celebrating next as, on the stroke of drinks, Pitt skied Kamunhukamwe who safely took the catch off his own bowling. 104-4 at halfway. 

Daldorph was next to the crease and he was quickly into his work, sweeping Bowker to the boundary on a couple of occasions as well as striking a sumptuous 6 over extra cover. 

It was Kamunhukamwe who continued to keep Barton in the game though, trapping Kingdon LBW shouldering arms, gone for 29. 121-5 with the game in the balance. 

Jefferson and Daldorph set about another rebuild for the home side, seeing off the last of Kamunhukamwe and sensibly knocking about the singles. It wasn’t too long before Daldorph began to show his attacking intent again, whipping Watkin over square leg for 6. Having played himself in Jefferson also started to find the boundary and the 200 came up with 6 overs to go. Disaster struck in the 44th though as a miscommunication resulted in Daldorph being run out, and Jefferson followed him 2 balls later pulling one to mid-wicket. Squire was next to go as he was trapped in front by new bowler Lipton and Thors had stumbled from 209-5 to 211-8, the hopes of full batting points all but gone. Slaviero and Jopling briefly steadied the ship, running well before Jopling was sharply caught behind after flashing at a wide one. Last man Tait continued to run well with the skipper who managed to plant a low full toss over the longest boundary to the joy of the home support. He was gone a few balls later going for another big shot but had contributed a useful 15 to leave Thors all out for 235 with 3 balls unused. 

After a pleasant Vukusic tea, the home side took to the field as a growing number of supporters arrived, from club legends to the future generations of TCC. 

They were treated just two balls in, as Slaviero clean bowled Last with an absolute peach. This brought overseas professional Kamunhukamwe to the crease and he was instantly on the offensive, trying to disrupt the lengths of Daldorph and Slaviero. The pair continued patiently though and Daldorph soon had his reward, 4 dots prompted Kamunhukamwe to try and go over the top, the catch easily taken by Pitt at mid-off. Watkin joined him in the clubhouse a few balls later, a rash swing across the line seeing Slavierouprooting his stumps, Barton reeling at 21-3. 

Lipton and Parker were now at the crease and proceeded with more caution whilst also getting some luck with a few edges flying to the boundary. Yelverton replaced the skipper and struck in his first over, Lipton well caught by Jefferson at cover. Jopling also got in on the act in his first, bowling Parker looking for the big shot, 38-5. He had his second shortly after, Harford chipping a return catch, smartly taken diving forward.  

Captain Lewis was now at the crease and bought some stability to the innings. It wasn’t long before the returning Slaviero had another though, Lipton hitting one straight to Squire at mid-off, 56-7. Jopling continued to keep it tight from the river end as Porter looked to pad out the spin and swing at the seam. Robbins was introduced after the drinks break and soon had Porter, another catch at mid-off for Squire. 

Lewis started to open up a little and punished a couple of balls that were pulled short. New man Bowker didn’t last longthough, Robbins getting one to jag back to have him plumb in front, 98-9. Shelton was the last man in and batted sensibly with his captain as the score ticked over 100. It was the return of Daldorph that eventually wrapped things up, clean bowling Shelton to dismiss Barton for 113.

Scorecard

League Table

A comprehensive win for Thors, who picked up 19 points and remain 3rd in the A Division ladder. A big fixture next week with a visit Hatherleigh who currently 5 points ahead in 2nd.

Our Community Cricket Day takes place on Sunday 10th August 2025.

This year we have four teams:- Butterleigh CC, The Thorverton Arms & The Exeter Inn will be joining a TCC side to play four matches and a final.

Games will be 8 x 8 ball overs a side, batters to retire at 25 and a maximum of two overs per bowler.

Fixtures

10am – Thorverton CC v Thorverton Arms

11:30am – Butterleigh CC v Exeter Inn

1pm – Thorverton CC v Butterleigh CC

2:30pm – Thorverton Arms v Exeter Inn

4:30pm – Final

All fixture times are a rough guide

The bar will be open all day with pasties available to buy from the kitchen. Please come down and support if you aren’t playing & enjoy what is always a fun-filled day.

There were 3 changes for 1s who were playing at home for the first time in 5 weeks who lined up with: L. Vukusic, D. Robbins, A. Kingdon, S. Yelverton, H. Choules+, G. Daldorph, A. Pitt, S. Jefferson, B. Slaviero, A. Jopling, J. Choules*.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat on a hot day at Station Ground. They negotiated the early exchanges calmly with Daldorph and Slaviero beating the outside edge on occasion. Pile in particular scored through third man and George had him put down in the slips early on as Kilmington reached 26-0 after the 10 over powerplay.

Yelverton replaced Slaviero at the Pavilion End, also keeping things tight, but opener Gooding tried to increase the rate when Choules replaced Daldorph. He capitalised with a couple of maximums over deep mid wicket as the total got to 56-0 at the 17 over drinks break.

The skipper turned back to pace via Vukusic after drinks but it was Yelverton who had the crucial Gooding (41) wicket when he dislodged his stumps. Cann subsequently joined Pile and the run rate slowed once again. Thors rotated the bowling in the middle session with bursts from Slaviero, Jopling and Robbins with boundaries few and far between. Jopling came closest when Cann was also put down as the score got into the 120s heading into the final 16 over session.

The reintroduction of Daldorph was the undoing of Cann, LBW, while Robbins removed the stubborn Pile for 45 from 96 balls next over. The experienced Seward and overseas Aussie Cucontis now in with the score 152-3 with 10 to go. The pair ran well to up the rate but boundaries were still a relative rarity with the bowling continuing to rotate and generally keeping things tight. In the last 5, the Aussie had more luck as he squeezed Yelverton for a couple of boundaries and found some joy scooping Daldorph while Slaviero removed Seward to secure a second bowling point in the penultimate over. George did well to keep the last over to 8 runs after a boundary first ball. Kilmington posting 217-4 from their 50 which felt below par on a hot day on a good pitch.

After a plentiful Robbins tea, he got to work on the chase with the also in-form Vukusic. The pair had a look at the opening bowling of Reed and Fuzzard but the first couple of overs were about as good as it got for the visitors before Robbins nonchalantly dismissed Reed’s second for 16. Vukusic was happy to give Robbins the strike early on as the pair ran well and Robbins hit regular boundaries to all parts of the ground in the opening stages. Kilmington turned to Cucontis early but the experiment was short lived when he was hit for 24 including extras. There was then a flurry of 1 over spells that couldn’t stem Robbins as the score raced to 86-0 from 10.

Robbins brought up his 50 shortly after the powerplay then had his first maximum when a Cann full toss was hit over the road. Vukusic started to get in on the act as the opening stand passed three figures when he drove Fuzzard for 4 in just the 13th over – an over that went for 19.

Seward and Crabb finally started to tighten things up for Kilmington but there was still opportunity for Robbins to sweep the former over mid wicket for 6 more before drinks to go into the 80s. Vukusic fell just before drinks for a useful 25 as Kingdon joined Robbins. The tighter bowling had further reward when Kingdon walked off after edging Seward behind until Yelverton got off the mark with a 4 first ball.

Robbins negotiated the 90s cautiously until another comprehensive pull for 4 brought him to 98. A couple of singles in the 25th over brought up the blistering century from just 77 balls – to the delight of teammates and spectators at Station Ground. He somehow found another gear when he crunched the next Seward over for 18 as the score reached 192-2 from 26.

Yelverton also seemed to be in a hurry as he hit 3 boundaries himself a couple of overs later including a dismissive pull to bring Thors within 20. Eventually Robbins holed out to mid off in the 30th over for a memorable 121 from 93 balls in a commanding display.

There were no further scares as H. Choules and Yelverton got Thors over the line, finished off with one final boundary by the latter who ended 37 not out.

Scorecard

League Table

Thors pick up 17 points and finish the first half of the season 3rd in the A Division ladder. Next week we host bottom side Barton at Station Ground.