A sunny Tuesday evening saw the Womens Softball team play their first league fixture for over a month. With a couple of recent friendly wins against Culmstock, the side were hoping to get their first league win of the season at home to the unbeaten Exmouth. 

The team lined up as: as Sophie Whiteley*, Lisa May, Vanessa Wilson, Lucy Wells, Sureka Khan, Katherine Harget, Lucy Harget and Natasha Carbines. 

Thors won the toss and opted to field with Khan and LucyHarget taking the new ball. After a few looseners the bowling pair soon found their stride and Khan took the first wicket in the third over with a well taken caught and bowled. Harget followed this up with two wickets in as many balls, a couple of full swinging deliveries clattering into the stumps. 

Wells and Katherine Harget took over the bowling as the new Exmouth pair started to rebuild, running well and taking advantage of a few extras. Replicating her sisters earlier feat, Katherine then took two wickets in two balls – both clean bowled. Two dots followed before Whiteley and Harget combined for a run out, and then Whiteley took a good catch at mid-wicket to finish the over with four wickets for no runs! The score at the halfway stage was 41-7.

May and Whiteley bowled the next set of four overs which brought about a couple of boundaries as well as a wicket for May, well caught by Khan at wicketkeeper. The final Exmouth batters came to the crease and struck the ball brilliantly off the bowling of Carbines and Wilson. The quick outfield and powerful striking resulted in six boundaries and a partnership of 41 with Exmouth ending their innings 105-8.

Thanks to eight wickets the Thorverton chase started on 40 as Carbines and Wilson took to the crease. They batted sensibly and ran well with Carbines also managing to find the boundary on two occasions. One wicket did fall but it was a very productive 35 run partnership. Whiteley and May were next in and a wicket fell with just the second ball as an enthusiastic swing from the captain resulted in her hitting her own stumps! Exmouth were fielding brilliantly, reducing the batters to singles only, and when Whiteley opted to take the aerial route the ball looked destined for six; only to be expertly caught on the boundary edge. At the halfway stage Thors were on 97 now chasing 115.

Wells and K. Harget continued to tick over the scoring with some well judged running and a boundary from Harget. Exmouth did strike back with two wickets of their own, but the home side were in the driving seat with just three runs needed from the final pair, providing no more wickets were lost.

It was down to usual pair of Khan and L. Harget – well known for their quick, and occasionally risky running – to finish the chase. There we regular shouts of ‘just one!!’ from the onlooking, and somewhat nervous, Thorverton team as the pair went about their work. Despite a wicket the score was surpassed and there was a final flourish of boundaries from both batters to give Thorverton their first ever league win!

Exmouth – 105 runs scored + 6 wickets taken = 135

Thorverton – 127 runs scored + 8 wickets taken = 167 

Thank you to Exmouth for a great game of cricket, Ben Slaviero and Sean Day for umpiring, Keeley Wells and Jason Van Der Meulen for scoring and all those who came down to support.

The final league game is Tuesday 2nd August, at home to Heathcoat CC.

The 1st XI gathered at Station Ground for breakfast seeking to shake off any cobwebs left from the Stirling wedding the night before.

The XI- Robbins, Fielder, Greed, Van der Meulen, Jefferson, H. Choules, Pitt, Daldorph, Slaverio, Jopling, J. Choules.

With a bit of moisture in the air, Choules won the toss and elected to field. Slaverio and Daldorph took the new ball and kept things tight in the first powerplay as the score reached 37-2 after 11 overs, Slaverio picking up both wickets. It could’ve been even better for Thors had a couple of caught behind appeals gone in our favour.

Dangerman Sam Read came and went as he was caught well by Jefferson on debut off the bowling of Van der Meulen.

Tom Richardson, a player Thors knew well, started the rebuilding process for the visitors, timing the ball well. Jopling kept things tight at the pavilion end and then caught Clist for 42 in Dan Robbins’ first over.

This brought Exeter’s overseas, Jehan Daniel, to the crease as he and Richardson struck the ball well. The score reached 115-4 at the halfway stage.

The skipper brought himself on after drinks and almost immediately struck as he removed Daniel, caught and bowled. He had another in his second over as Robbins took a calm catch at long on.

Richardson and Billy Buckingham dug in for the city side with the former passing 50 with the score on 137-6 with 18 overs left.

Choules got Buckingham LBW and Richardson was out soon after thanks to a quick stumping by Harry and at 146-8 the visitors were in trouble.

With Jopling bowled out, Pitt was introduced from the pavilion end and had a wicket as the skipper turned a regulation catch at square leg into a one handed diver. The skipper completed his 5fa in the next over and Exeter were all out for 149.

Paul Fielder served up a quality tea before opening the batting with Robbins. Joe Gore and Jehan Daniel bowled with some good pace for the visitors as Daniel removed Robbins and Greed inside 6 overs. Fielder looked comfortable but ran himself out in the 9th and Thors were in a spot of bother at 27-3.

Jefferson looked comfortable on 1st XI debut as he and Van der Meulen saw off the opening bowlers first spells but a lapse in concentration had Sam caught behind to the first ball of the change bowlers, Sam sportingly walking off before the finger went up.

The score was 48-4 when Harry Choules joined Jason at the crease but the pair kept the strike rotating and found the boundary on occasion, bringing a sense of calm to proceedings.

Jason passed his 50 and the pair’s partnership reached 67 before Choules was run out for 23.

Daniel was back on for the city side in a last throw of the dice but Pitt had no problem dispatching him over the mid wicket boundary. However he was caught trying to repeat it as the score reached 134-6.

Nerves started to creep back into the Thorverton ranks but with Jason still there and Daldroph handling the barrage of short stuff in his nonchalant fashion, there was no reason for nerves.

A boundary from Jason in the 31st over completed the job and Thors had completed the league double over Exeter.

Scorecard

League Table

We leapfrog 3 teams in the table and climb to 6th. It is a trip to fellow B Division promotees Kilmington next.

The skipper’s thoughts:
“Great win today, ground fielding and bowling was a really good standard. Ben Slaviero set the tone early. Good recovery from 20-3. Jason brilliant again and Harry also enjoying some decent form with the bat. 6 games to go, 4 of which are against teams below us in the table but will need to keep performing at a top level”

On a cooler evening following the blistering heatwave, Thors travelled to the County Ground to take on Exeter in the Covid Cup. Ben Slaviero won the toss and elected to bat on a rock hard pitch. Thors line up:-

L.Vukusic, S.Jefferson, H.Choules+, J.Van Der Meulen, B.Heard, J.Porter, B.Slaviero*, A.Jopling, J.Stirling, S.Tait, E.Vukusic

Jefferson and L.Vukusic opened on a pacey pitch and took 17 from the first two overs, assisted by a nine ball over from Gore and a couple of boundaries. Vukusic hit the first six of the innings over long on off Lovell, only to try and emulate it 3 balls later and was out for ten, caught by Dube.

Jefferson & Choules slowly built the foundations for the innings, aided by some phenomenal running between the wickets. Thors 36-1 at the end of the first powerplay.

The pair stuck around and started to up the tempo, including Choules striking two large straight sixes off Billy Buckingham to take the score to 110-1 from 14 overs. They both fell in the 15th to Finn Hill, Jefferson for 35 (36), Choules 44 (40).

Van Der Meulen batted with real intent and made finding the boundary look easy, striking four fours and a six on his way to 31 from 14 balls before being caught off Dube. Thors lost Porter for 4 and Heard for 9 and finished 166-6.

Van Der Meulen & E.Vukusic took the new ball with Exeter taking advantage of the field restrictions, adding 48 in the first five overs. One of Vukusic’s trademark inswingers clattered the leg stump of Dube for 29 and Exeter were 50-1 at the end of the powerplay.

Jopling & Tait took over and were consistent with their lengths. Tait had Hill well caught at deep mid-wicket by Porter for 13 to leave the hosts 78-1 at the halfway stage.

Sam Read took a liking to the bowling change of Stirling for Jopling, finding the boundary twice off his first over to leave the hosts needing 78 from 54.

Tait nicked off Abrahams for 36 & Stirling had Read caught by Jopling running around from mid on for 19. Spittles & Zach Vukusic continued to knock the ball around and left the visitors requiring 40 from 30.

Vukusic tried to clear Jefferson at mid-on and had appeared to until he put up a solitary hand to plucked the ball above his head; Tait finishing with impressive figures of 3-20.

Buckingham took 16 from Stirling’s last over to hand the balance over to the hosts needing 18 from 18. Van Der Meulen returned to bowl a tight 18th over, conceding just two.

Jopling bowled Buckingham for 20 (12) in the penultimate over and conceded just 4; Exeter now requiring 12 from 6.

Van Der Meulen bowled good lengths and had Spittles caught by Slaviero under a steepler at midwicket. Just four runs were conceded and Thors ran out winners by 7 runs.

SCORECARD

We are pleased to announce that we are running two of our popular Cricket Camps for boys & girls aged 10+ from Monday 8th-Wednesday 10th August and 22nd-24th August.

The camps will be run by overseas star Jason Van Der Meulen and other junior coaches.

The timings for each day are 10am-3pm, with the exception of Wednesday 10th August which will run from 9am to 1pm.

Please provide a packed lunch.

Cost: £20 a day or £50 for all 3 days.

Prebooking is essential. You can book your child in for both camps by visiting our online store HERE.

On another scorcher of a Saturday, Thors welcomed Sidmouth 3rd XI to Station Ground. In a tradition now dating back over two months, Stirling lost the toss and Sidmouth elected to bowl, much to be bemusement of some of Thors’ senior players.

The 2s lined up:- L.Vukusic, A.Daldorph, B.Heard, D.Baldock, S.Jefferson, P.Stirling+, J.Porter, J.Broom, E.Vukusic, J.Baker, J.Stirling*

Chapman’s decision to field first started to look to be the right call, as Vukusic was quickly out for 1, caught at extra cover off a leading edge. The return of Heard didn’t last much longer as he nicked behind for 0. Thors 15-2 in just the third over.

Baldock joined Daldorph and began to pepper the boundary immediately. He narrowly missed the head of short extra cover with without doubt the hardest hit off drive the E Division will have seen this season. Baldock found the boundary six times in his 28 ball stay at the crease before he begrudgingly departed, adjudged LBW for 28 with Thors 49-3 after 11.

Sam Jefferson joined Daldorph in the sunshine & the 4 wicket pair rebuilt the Thors innings with Daldorph in particular finding the boundary regularly with ease & passing 50 for the fourth time this term. The pair added 120 between them in 21 overs before Jefferson was caught for 34 with the score on 169-4. Daldorph immediately followed him, smacking a full toss straight to deep midwicket for a well made 86, taking him to 450 league runs for the season.

Stirling & Porter added 57 between them including a big six for Paul over long on into the newly harvested rapeseed field at the River End before he was caught behind for 25. Broom was elevated again with a license to swing and delivered with 17* off 12 balls. Porter finished 39* for the second week running & Thors had taken full batting points, posting 257-6, which a couple at teatime thinking was a few short on a splendid PJ deck & a rapid outfield.

After a fantastic Tammi Vukusic tea which came close to replicating Jesus’ miracle of feeding the 5000, Broom & E.Vukusic took the new ball, choosing their ends perfectly as a slight breeze complimented Jacob’s outswingers & Erin’s trademark inswingers.

Vukusic was rewarded in her first over, knocking over Goodall’s stumps for 1. The bowlers toiled away in the heat to keep things tight; Sidmouth 27-1 after the first ten.

Stirling replaced Broom at the Pavilion End before the first of the two drinks breaks. Baker came on for Vukusic, finishing her first spell with 1-20 from 7 overs but deserving of more as she consistently found severe lateral movement.

Rattenbury was the next batter to go, well run out by some smart work by Jefferson at midwicket. Anthony Cox quietly started to add runs at a decent rate with some aggressive running. Burhop at 4 fell to Stirling, caught by the ever-dependable Daldorph running around at mid-on, the visitors 60-3 after 17.

Cox passed 50 before being bowled by Stirling for 53 from 65. Skipper Chapman soon followed him, bowled by Baker for 11, muttering some expletives on the way off at the surprise of how unplayable the ball of Baker’s left-arm spin had castled him. Sidmouth 100-5.

Dalton gave Stirling a third wicket, caught by Broom at mid off. Stirling finishing his 9 with 3-36. A change of ends for Baker allowed Heard a pop from the River End, bowling Clayden for 12. Jefferson removed Pugsley with another run out and the visitors were on the brink at 140-8.

Baker finished his spell with 1-43. Vukusic returned with another two tight overs before Broom came back from the Pavilion End. Jefferson came into the attack from the River End and immediately bowled Raistrick for 15.

Manav Singh had some fun on his way to 36, hitting Broom over the ropes, before he gloves behind to Paul Stirling twice in an over, with the second one sticking in the gloves to give Thors all 20 points. Sidmouth 192 all out.

Scorecard

League Table

The win sees Thors remain 20 points clear of second placed Topsham and 36 clear of third placed Honiton, with key fixtures against them within the next three weeks.

Thors skipper Jack Stirling “Another good performance despite some drops in the field. Andy Daldorph was outstanding once again and Erin was deserving of far more with the ball. Great to see Sam & Jay hitting some form at a key part of the season. We’ve just got to keep our heads and keep doing what we’ve been doing over the next seven weeks & we’ll get to where we need to be”.

Next up for the 2s is a trip to Braunton on Saturday 23rd July.

On another hot Saturday in the Devon League, the 1st XI made the trip to Budleigh Salterton.

Robbins, Pitt & H. Choules returned to the side as we lined up with: Chilcott, Robbins, Coe, Fielder, Van Der Meulen, H. Choules, Pitt, Daldorph, Jopling, Slaviero, J. Choules.

Budleigh won the toss and elected to bat but despite the weather the pitch didn’t look as white and flat as might have been expected and there was a feeling that chasing may bring a change of luck for the Thors.

However, Budleigh shot off to a positive start as the pitch played better than it looked and the rapid outfield helped the ball find the boundary with ease. After 10 overs the hosts were 48-0.

Van Der Meulen was introduced from the pavilion end and his first 3 overs were a clinic in fast bowling. He snicked off Troman and the next over he pinned the dangerous Penberthy-Hutchings in the midriff before the opener skied one which was put down. However, undeterred, Jason had his man caught behind a few balls later. The spell also saw the hosts, overseas star, Perris, dropped at first slip on 0.

Perris and Jack England fought back for the hosts though as the score reached 130-2 when Choules and Jopling were introduced to take the pace off.

Both kept it reasonably tight and England was bowled by Jopling in the 29th over. 2 overs later Robbins kept his head to run the new batter out with help some good hands by Jopling. The score 162-4 in the 30th.

The spin duo continued to toil and Jopling had 2 more when he trapped Oxland LBW before getting dangerman Perris caught at long on for 71.

The leggie then bowled the opposition skipper before completing his 5fa in the 40th over with help from a rapid stumping by Harry Choules.

The score was 209-8 with 9 to go when Jopling and Choules finished their spells and Pitt and Daldroph were tasked with finishing off. 31 more runs were added for one more wicket as the hosts finished on 240-9. A decent fight back by Thorverton.

A slight change to the usual order meant Robbins opened up with Chilcott and the pair got off to a positive start striking 24 from the first 5 overs. Chilcott was then stumped in bizarre fashion before both Robbins and Fielder fell to Doble, the league’s leading wicket taker, the following over. Thors somewhat reeling at 31-3 from 7.

Van der Meulen and the ever-reliable Coe set about steadying the ship just as they did last week and got us to the first drinks break at 82-3 (17 overs).

Just after Thors passed 3 figures Coe was caught and bowled for 15. Harry Choules continued where Coe left off, turning the strike over and allowing Jason to bring up his half century. With 20 over to go Thors were 126-4 and requiring around a run a ball to win.

However with the score on 130 the hosts had the big Van der Meulen wicket, LBW for 70. Pitt and Choules looked comfortable but Pitt skied one on 10 as the score reached 150-6 with 15 to go.

A solid partnership between Choules and Daldorph had their teammates quietly whispering about the pair’s Corinthian Cup Final heroics last year. Thors required 55 from the last 10.

Choules was caught in the 43rd for a well made 37 with the score now 199-7. Another big wicket for the hosts.

Due to the latter picking up a calf tweak in the field, Jopling went in ahead of Slaviero at 9. He got the score past 200 but fell soon after.

Thors had reached 204-8 going into the final 5 but Perris had found some extra pace and clean bowled Daldorph for 28.

Budleigh were behind on over rate so experienced operater Joel Murphy had to rush through the 47th over to prevent a potential 18 penalty runs. However this was immaterial as last man Jake Choules skied a slower ball long hop, somehow only as far as short mid wicket. Thors had lost by 30 runs.

Scorecard

League Table

Another tight game at this level as we left the seaside with 8 bonus points. Thank you to Jimmy & Isaac May for their scoring and to the Thor’s spectators that made the trip.

The skipper:
“We can be proud of our recoveries from 150-2 in the first innings and 30-3 in the second but we need to put in more complete performances to get us over the line. We are good enough to compete at this level and a couple of wins in the next 2 or 3 weeks will take the pressure off”.

Next up we look to do the double over city side Exeter at Station Ground.

We are delighted to announce that Andy Daldorph has been awarded our Player of The Month for June.

Andy scored 105 against Kentisbeare in June and has scored the third-most runs in the E Division East this season with 364 at an average of 40.44.

Andy has also taken 5 league catches as an outfielder.

Congratulations Andy!

We are delighted to announce that you can now purchase tickets online to the following events:-

Reunion – 12th August – MORE INFO

Dinner & Dance – 15th October – MORE INFO

You can purchase tickets to both events on our newly launched online store HERE.

In particular we would advise booking reunion tickets online to give us an idea of catering numbers for the evening. If you have any questions about either event, please email seniors@thorvertoncricketclub.com.

The 1st XI welcomed Torquay to Station Ground on a hot day for the first match of the 2nd half of the season.

Thors made 3 changes to the team that beat Seaton last week: Greed, Chilcott, Coe, Van der Meulen, Fielder, Baldock, Daldorph, Hooper, Slaviero, Jopling, Choules.

Choules won the toss as was becoming strangely typical and elected to bat and what looked to be a flat one at Station Ground.

However, as spectators, sponsors and Vice Presidents filtered in, it was a nightmare start for the hosts. The in-form Chilcott was given out lbw for 0 in the 2nd over before Greed played on in the 3rd over for 1. Thors reeling at 1-2.

The rebuilding job started with Ben Coe and Jason van Der Meulen who showed incredible resilience and determination to get us back on track. By the time Coe was run out on 32, the pressure had somewhat lifted with the score on 87-3 with plenty of overs to play with.

Jason batted positively but selectively, passing 50 with a well struck boundary. Fielder came and went before Baldock added 20, caught with the score on 151-5.

Jason was still there though and with Daldroph at the crease with him, Jason nailed an extra cover drive for 4 to bring up his well deserved century. Helmet aloft and a tap of the badge, a real moment to savour and all in front if his player sponsor – 2020 property.

Unfortunately he fell almost instantly after with the score on 180 and it was down to the lower order to amass as many runs as possible in the last 10.

Daldroph and Hooper reached double figures and Slaviero’s 7 not out contributed to getting us to 209-9.

The talk whilst eating a top drawer Chilcott tea alongside sponsors and VPs was that perhaps we were just under par but a great effort considering the first 3 overs.

Western and Allen started the chase for the visitors and found the boundary all too frequently for Thorverton’s liking. At the first drinks break (17 overs) Torquay were 81 without loss.

Van der Meulen had begun to tighten things for the hosts bowling an economic 6 over spell for just 20 runs. Hooper and the skipper were then introduced and continued to keep things tight but wickets were hard to come by. It wasn’t until Choules’ 9th over and the 34th of the innings that Allen was removed for a well made 74. Hooper picked up a well deserved wicket the following over and the score was 147-2 with 15 to go. The visitors still very much the favourites but Thors had a sniff.

Daldorph was introduced from the river end and once Hooper finished his spell (1-34) Slaverio was tasked with finishing off from the pavilion end.

Daldorph struck getting Western caught behind then bowling Colgate in the same over. 174-4 with 8 to go and suddenly the game was in the balance.

In George’s next over he dismissed Stanley lbw, 177-5. Shorty after, Thors felt they had dangerman Joshi, caught behind. A huge appeal went up after a noise but both batter and umpire were unmoved.

Joshi and Baxendale steadily accumulated with singles as the visitors took the calculation to 22 required from the last 4 overs. Baxandale edged Slaverio for 4 and with a few more singles Torquay needed 13 from 3.

Daldorph got Baxandale lbw in the last ball of his allowable 10 overs finishing with 4 wickets. However the hosts only needed 10 from the last 2. Reminiscent of the first game of the season, Joshi didn’t want to leave it much longer and struck a sublime 6 over point followed by a 4 to finish it off.

Scorecard

League Table

Thors were left wondering about many ifs and buts but overall put in a good performance and lost another tight game against an opposition with premier division aspirations.

The skipper concluded:
“To go so close is always gutting. We have been on the wrong side of too many close games this season and need to change a couple of them into wins. However we can be proud of the fight shown from 1-2 in the first innings and 140-0 in the 2nd. We can also take the positives from a brilliant hundred for Jason and 4fa from George”

Next week is a trip to 4th place Budleigh Salterton.

On the hottest day of the season so far, the 2nd XI travelled to Woodbury & Newton St Cyres 1st XI. Stirling continued his woeful toss record this season and Woodbury elected to field in the heat.

Thors line up:- A.Daldorph, J.Farley, H.Squire, S.Jefferson, G.Squire, J.Porter+, J.Baker jnr, J.Broom, J.Meredith, J.Baker snr, J.Stirling*.

Farley & Daldorph got Thors off to a solid opening start, helped by a few extras from the Woodbury new ball pairing, pushing Thors through to 43-0 after the first ten overs.

The textile-themed first change pairing of Silk & Harris-Cotton frustrated Farley & Daldorph, keeping thing tight and the pressure building. A release shot came in the form of Farley clearing mid-on for four. He tried the same again an over later, only to cloth the ball into Smale’s hands at mid-on for 29. Thors 66-1. H.Squire came in at three and a feather through to Boundy off Silk saw him depart for one.

Jefferson & Daldorph showed patience against some tight bowling but took advantage of any loose balls. Daldorph passed 50 for the third time this season before being bowled by a jaffa from Jarvis for 51. Thors 116-3 after 30.

Jefferson showed some real intent and now started to find the boundary regularly, pushing the run rate up. The pair added 48 in seven overs before Squire was caught behind on the pull for 7. Porter joined Jefferson and showed similar intent. Jefferson despatched a six over square leg & brought up his maiden 50 for Thors with a drive through the covers, before being caught behind for 58 from 54 balls.

Some kamikaze running saw Jack Baker come and go for 3. Broom was elevated with a license and found the boundary once before being caught at mid-on for 4. Meredith and Porter ran well, with Porter finding the rope three times on his way to 37* from 32. Thors finishing on 229-7.

The returning Broom & H.Squire took the new ball for Woodbury’s reply and the hosts got off to a flier, courtesy of Purohit batting with serious intent and a helping hand with plenty of extras given by the visitors, racing to 78-0 after the first ten overs.

The spin pairing of Baker snr & Stirling came into the attack, Baker first removing Boundy LBW for 17. Purohit went past 50. Chouhan was then bowled by Stirling for 1 to leave the hosts 98-2 after 14.

Stirling struck a total of 5 times in his first five overs, getting Purohit LBW for 59 and bowling Jarvis for 5, Collier for 0 & Smale for 0. The hosts had gone from 98-1 to 121-6. Baker then struck again to remove Brearly caught and bowled. Baker finishing his 9 overs with 2-30.

Meredith came into the attack, bowling Spurrell in his first over. Woodbury 130-8. He struck again in his third, Harris-Cotton caught well by Farley at point and the hosts on the brink at 144-9. Stirling finished his 9 with 5-34.

Pearce & Silk frustrated the visitors for 7 overs before Sam Jefferson stepped up to remove Pearce with just his second ball, a leg stump Yorker. Thors winners by 54 runs.

SCORECARD

League Table

The result leaves the 2nd XI top of the table with 8 games to play. Thank you to Alan for umpiring and Bob for scoring.

Next up for the 2s is a home game against Sidmouth 3rd XI on Saturday.