We are pleased to announce that tickets for the 2022 Dinner & Dance are now available. The end will take place on Saturday 15th October 2022 at the Mercure Rougement Hotel in Exeter from 7pm until late. Members & non-members are welcome to attend.
The event is always an enjoyable evening and gives a chance to hopefully celebrate what will be another successful season for the club. The usual awards will be given out, plus some new additional awards for the growing Women & Girl’s section of the club.
Tickets are priced at £35 per person and include a three course meal & disco after the dinner. Your place can be secured with a £10 deposit paid now, with the remaining balance due closer to the event. Vegetarian & Vegan food option available.
The 1st XI made their way through the torrential rain in Exeter and arrived at a sunny Maer ground as the raincoats were swapped for sun cream.
Choules won the toss and elected to bat against high flying Exmouth. We lined up with: Chilcott, Greed, Diamond, Van Der Meulen, Robbins, H. Choules, Daldorph, Hooper, Slaviero, Jopling & J. Choules
The pitch was hard and the outfield rapid as discovered when Greed found the boundary second ball. After 4 overs we were 20-0 but Greed fell to a superb catch in the 5th by ex Shobrooke player Dan Pyle. Pyle parried a hard flash in the gulley then took the rebound one handed while on the floor.
The wicket didn’t halt the momentum though as Diamond joined Chilcott as the pair ran with intent and found the boundary regularly, bringing up the 100 in the 20th over. Soon after, Chilcott brought up his half century, shortly followed by the 100 partnership and then Diamond’s 50 came too.
The aggressive running was the undoing of Chilcott in the 33rd over though, falling for 64. As Van Der Meulen strode to the crease the score was 149-2. Jason upped the run rate as he does so well before being bowled by England Deaf Captain George Greenway for 17. George was fresh off an Ashes series win in Australia.
It was Robbins turn to enjoy the conditions, striking a quick fire 20 before being caught in the 41st over but not before he and Diamond got the score above 200.
Thors were set for a very significant score but lost wickets too regularly to inflict too much more damage on Exmouth. Diamond fell for 84 and by the time H. Choules, Daldorph and Hooper also went, it was down to Slaviero and Jopling to target the final batting point (250).
The pair ran well and Jopling found the boundary on the first ball of the last over which brought the score to 250. The significance of reaching the 5th batting point was not lost on the glut of Thor’s spectators as a polite cheer went up. Jopling then immediately freed his arms and somehow managed to dispatch Pyle for 6 over third man’s head. We ended up on 259-9.
Pleased with the efforts first innings, Thors were under no illusions that Exmouth would back themselves to chase 260 particularly with South African pro Jason Niemand opening up who has only failed to reach a century once this season when he fell in the 90s against Plympton.
Slaviero and Daldorph started encouragingly with the new cherry, restricting Exmouth to just 34-0 from the first 10 overs. Robbins was then introduced and removed Devon opener Horler for 37 using the same plan as was used at Plympton last week – Horler caught superbly at deep square leg by Van Der Meulen.
By the time Pyle came in at 3, the score was 73-1 after 18 overs. The spin pairing of Choules & Jopling were now into the attack but Niemand was now looking comfortable and manipulating the field and bowling with relative ease.
Jopling made sure of the end of Pyle thanks to a smart catch at short mid wicket by Daldroph as the score reached 92-2 after 20 overs. Niemand passed his 50 soon after, the score reaching 138-2 at drinks.
Hooper bowled a tight 5 over spell after drinks but Thors struggled to find a breakthrough as Niemand was now being supported by Finley Marks.
After 30 overs the score was 164-2 and the hosts required under 5 an over to win. With Niemand in this would be a formality so wickets were needed. Bowlers were rotated but the closest we came to a breakthrough was when Niemand scampered for a quick 2nd run to bring up his 100. A direct hit probably would have had him out for 99.
The hosts accelerated from here and took the win in the 43rd over off of Chilcott’s first ball of the season who was introduced as a last throw of the dice for a wicket. Niemand finished on a chanceless 145* from 126 balls and Marks finished on 58*.
Spirit in the Thors ranks remained high with the skipper stating: “Really proud of the team today. We scored our highest score of the season against top of the league and kept our spirits up despite a chanceless knock against probably the best player I’ve played against. We hope to get back to winning ways next week at home”.
It’s the halfway point of the season next week as we host Seaton who are currently propping up the table without a win. Thors were leapfrogged by Abbotskerswell and drop down to 7th, the 6 bonus points keeping us above Barton, Kilmington and Seaton.
The 1st XI made their way through the torrential rain in Exeter and arrived at a sunny Maer ground as the raincoats were swapped for sun cream.
Choules won the toss and elected to bat against high flying Exmouth. We lined up with: Chilcott, Greed, Diamond, Van Der Meulen, Robbins, H. Choules, Daldorph, Hooper, Slaviero, Jopling & J. Choules
The pitch was hard and the outfield rapid as discovered when Greed found the boundary second ball. After 4 overs we were 20-0 but Greed fell to a superb catch in the 5th by ex Shobrooke player Dan Pyle. Pyle parried a hard flash in the gulley then took the rebound one handed while on the floor.
The wicket didn’t halt the momentum though as Diamond joined Chilcott as the pair ran with intent and found the boundary regularly, bringing up the 100 in the 20th over. Soon after, Chilcott brought up his half century, shortly followed by the 100 partnership and then Diamond’s 50 came too.
The aggressive running was the undoing of Chilcott in the 33rd over though, falling for 64. As Van Der Meulen strode to the crease the score was 149-2. Jason upped the run rate as he does so well before being bowled by England Death Captain George Greenway for 17. George was fresh off an Ashes series win in Australia.
It was Robbins turn to enjoy the conditions, striking a quick fire 20 before being caught in the 41st over but not before he and Diamond got the score above 200.
Thors were set for a very significant score but lost wickets too regularly to inflict too much more damage on Exmouth. Diamond fell for 84 and by the time H. Choules, Daldorph and Hooper also went, it was down to Slaviero and Jopling to target the final batting point (250).
The pair ran well and Jopling found the boundary on the first ball of the last over which brought the score to 250. The significance of reaching the 5th batting point was not lost on the glut of Thor’s spectators as a polite cheer went up. Jopling then immediately freed his arms and somehow managed to dispatch Pyle for 6 over third man’s head. We ended up on 259-9.
Pleased with the efforts first innings, Thors were under no illusions that Exmouth would back themselves to chase 260 particularly with South African pro Jason Niemand opening up who has only failed to reach a century once this season when he fell in the 90s against Plympton.
Slaviero and Daldorph started encouragingly with the new cherry, restricting Exmouth to just 34-0 from the first 10 overs. Robbins was then introduced and removed Devon opener Horler for 37 using the same plan as was used at Plympton last week – Horler caught superbly at deep square leg by Van Der Meulen.
By the time Pyle came in at 3, the score was 73-1 after 18 overs. The spin pairing of Choules & Jopling were now into the attack but Niemand was now looking comfortable and manipulating the field and bowling with relative ease.
Jopling made sure of the end of Pyle thanks to a smart catch at short mid wicket by Daldroph as the score reached 92-2 after 20 overs. Niemand passed his 50 soon after, the score reaching 138-2 at drinks.
Hooper bowled a tight 5 over spell after drinks but Thors struggled to find a breakthrough as Niemand was now being supported by Finley Marks.
After 30 overs the score was 164-2 and the hosts required under 5 an over to win. With Niemand in this would be a formality so wickets were needed. Bowlers were rotated but the closest we came to a breakthrough was when Niemand scampered for a quick 2nd run to bring up his 100. A direct hit probably would have had him out for 99.
The hosts accelerated from here and took the win in the 43rd over off of Chilcott’s first ball of the season who was introduced as a last throw of the dice for a wicket. Niemand finished on a chanceless 145* from 126 balls and Marks finished on 58*.
Spirit in the Thors ranks remained high with the skipper stating: “Really proud of the team today. We scored our highest score of the season against top of the league and kept our spirits up despite a chanceless knock against probably the best player I’ve played against. We hope to get back to winning ways next week at home”.
It’s the halfway point of the season next week as we host Seaton who are currently propping up the table without a win. Thors were leapfrogged by Abbotskerswell and drop down to 7th, the 6 bonus points keeping us above Barton, Kilmington and Seaton.
A blustery and showery day was expected at the Station Ground as the teams gathered before the toss. Ben Coe strode out to the covered pitch and retuned having lost the toss and be asked to bowl by the North Devon skipper, much to the dismay of the Thors senior players.
Luke Vukusic opened from the Pavilion End with three wides in his first three balls but soon found his radar knicking off opener Carrick with his third legitimate ball, smartly taken by Fielder moving to his left.
Erin Vukusic started from the River End and kept it tight as usual frustrating the batters bowling a good length and with good accuracy. Her patience paid off as Clarke pulled a slightly shorter ball straight to Baker at mid wicket.
Luke bowled Davis with a ball that nipped back off a good length to hit the top off off stump and finished his spell with tidy figures of 6-1-11-2.
Jonny Baker was introduced from the River End and was soon got to work removing Callaghan who was smartly caught by Heard at point and he then removed Carter caught behind by Fielder first ball.
Baker bowled Nathan Ware who hung around for 2 off 23 balls with one that gripped and took the top of off stump. North Devon captain Pennington was the last of Baker’s victims, bowled after edging a tempting ball onto his stumps. Baker finishing with 7-2-17-4 leaving North Devon 55-7.
Stuart Ware and Dylan Evans hung around putting 18 on for for the 8th wicket before Eliza Heard in her first appearance of the season removed him LBW for 8.
Erin Vukusic returned from the River End to remove Evans bowled off his pads finishing with figure of 7-1-17-2.
The last wicket was taken by Freddie Davidson. He took his first senior wicket after Steven Carrick guided a short ball to Andy Daldorph at point rounding off a superb all round bowling and fielding performance by everyone. A special mention to Imogen Daldorph who kept it tight through the middle overs with 7 overs for 17 runs.
A fantastic tea from the Tavener family and it was Fielder and Daldorph to open the Innings.
Fielder was adjudged LBW off the bowling of Carter in the second over leaving the score at 1-1 with Pitt joining Daldorph at the crease.
They both capitalised on the loose balls until Daldorph was bowled by Clarke in his first over for 20 trying to pull a shortish ball that slid through with the score at 48-2.
Baldock then joined Pitt at the crease and the game was over in a hurry. The final 42 runs coming from just over four overs with a flurry of boundaries from both batters, with Pitt hitting the winning runs over the top of mid on for four. Baldock ended up with 24 off 16 balls and Pitt 32 off 30.
Another 20 points for Thorverton and a fantastic all around performance. Captain for the day Ben Coe “Really happy to not have rain spoil the day as it seemed to have rained everywhere else but here! A great start from the Vukusic’s set the tone, Jonny was superb and then Eliza, Imogen and Freddie all bowled brilliantly. The experienced top order made light work of the run chase and made my day as captain very easy”
The result leaves the 2nd XI top of the E East. Next up is the short trip to Bradninch 2nd XI on Saturday 2nd July.
As the Ukrainian conflict continues, we would like to invite any refugee children (of any nationality) in the Mid Devon area to take up our offer of free junior membership & training sessions on Friday evenings. Details on our junior cricket offers are available here.
We hope that the sessions will be beneficial to help refugee children integrate into their new community.
If you would like more information, please get in touch by emailing seniors@thorvertoncricketclub.com
Please feel free to pass this on to anyone who may be interested.
It is the Committee’s aim to have a group photograph taken of all club members. This will also be an opportunity for last season’s 1st XI squad to have a photo taken with with League and Corinthian Cup trophies.
Please could all members therefore come to Station Ground for 11am on Saturday the 2nd of July so these can be taken. Please bring cricket whites. We are also planning to take player headshots for website & social media use.
The 1st XI are at home to Seaton & 2nd XI are away at Bradninch, so the date has been taken into consideration to ensure all members are in the vicinity of the club.
On the summer solstice, Thors travelled to Clyst St George to try and kickstart their Covid Cup campaign after last week’s narrow defeat to Bradninch.
With Jake Choules & Ben Slaviero unavailable, Dan Robbins took the captaincy, winning the toss on a warm, sunny evening and elected to field. Thors lined up with:- D.Robbins*, L.Vukusic, D.Baldock, J.Van Der Meulen, H.Choules+, G.Daldorph, Jack Baker, D.Hooper, E.Vukusic, A.Jopling, J.Stirling.
George Daldorph and Alex Jopling took the new pink ball for Thors and quickly looked to starve the hosts of runs. Daldorph bowled a tight first over at Donovan, conceding just four, followed up by a maiden from Jopling’s leg breaks. In the fourth over. Jopling was struck for two consecutive fours by Donovan, before bowling him for 18.
Manning & Kendall took 13 off Daldorph’s next over, before Jopling struck twice in three balls to remove Kendall (well caught by Luke Vukusic at extra cover) and Attwater, caught by Van Der Meulen at mid on. The hosts were 34-3 at the end of the 6 powerplay overs.
Erin Vukusic came into the attack, bowling tight lines and was unfortunate to concede two boundaries in her opening over. Jopling struck a fourth time to get Manning caught and bowled in his last over, returning impressive figures of 4-1-4-13.
The leg spin continued from the bottom end as Stirling replaced Jopling, removing Freddie Creer, caught behind with his first ball, the hosts 50-5. Bertie Creer (stumped well by Choules) & Ronaldo Callander (a well judging catch by Daldorph at backward point followed in Stirling’s next over to leave the visitors in a spot of bother at 59-7.
Hooper replaced Vukusic from the pavilion end and the incoming Steve Bourke went on the counter immediately, taking 14 off his first over, ably supported by Burrell. A couple of Bourke sixes into the neighbouring properties off Stirling’s last over and 16 off skipper Robbins first over brought Clyst right back into the game, Bourke adding 44 out of a 48 partnership.
After Stirling had bowled out (3-19), a change of ends for Hooper paid dividends, trapping Burrell in front at 107-8. Another 6 from Bourke brought up his 50, before he was bowled in the last over by Hooper for 56 from just 29 balls. Hooper rattled the stumps again 3 balls later to bowl the visitors out for 131; Hooper 3-24.
Robbins & L.Vukusic opened the reply with intent and consistently found the boundary, reaching 46-0 after the powerplay. Robbins then went up the gears, hitting Donovan for two consecutive sixes. He then planted Bertie Creer over square leg to bring up his 50, hitting his own car in the process.
In the same over he holed out to Bourke on the leg side boundary for 56 from just 27 balls, including six 4s and four 6s, Thors 78-1 after 8 overs.
Baldock joined Vukusic and the pair were happy to pick singles at ease, in addition to two consecutive 4s from Vukusic to take the score to 92-1 with 9 remaining.
Baldock was bowled by Callender for 9. Van Der Meulen in at 4 and he found the boundary a couple of times immediately. Thors taking 12 and 14 off the fifteenth and sixteenth overs, including a Vukusic 6 took the visitors close, before Van Der Meulen struck another 4 to secure the win with 23 balls remaining. Vukusic 33* (40) and Van Der Meulen 27* (12).
Next up in the Covid Cup is a home game against Exeter, scheduled for next Wednesday, although a fixture clash with the visitors Sun Belt Rentals Devon T20 fixture means this is almost certain to change.
We are delighted to announce that a triangular tournament will take place on 17th July. The tournament will take place at the club, featuring a side from Thorverton Cricket Club, and a side from Thorverton Village as has been a staple on the fixture list for the last few years.
We are also delighted to announce that European Champions Cup & Rugby Premiership winning Exeter Chiefs captain Jack Yeandle will be assembling a side with Exeter Chiefs connections to compete in the tournament.
The three teams will play a round-robin of 100 ball matches against each other, meaning each team will play two matches.
There will be a BBQ & the bar will be open for what promises to be a great day at the club.
Entry is free but we will be having a collection to raise money for the Exeter Chiefs Foundation.
Keep an eye on our social media platforms for updates
Thors at Heathcoat. Back Row L-R Ben Slaviero, Alice Pitt, Vanessa Wilson, Katherine Harget, Keeley Wells, Jason Van Der Meulen, Front Row:- Lucy Harget, Lisa May, Sophie Whiteley, Sureka Khan, Juliette Lea.
After last week’s narrow defeat against Exmouth the Women’s Softball team were back in action on Sunday at Heathcoat.
The team lined up as Sophie Whiteley, Lisa May, Vanessa Wilson, Lucy Wells, Sureka Khan, Katherine Harget, Juliette Lea and Alice Pitt.
Having lost the toss Heathcoat elected to field. Whiteley and May out to bat first. The pair started well with 1 run and a boundary, however the success was quickly snatched away with 2 consecutive wickets from an impressive Heathcoat bowler who took 3 wickets for 7 in the first over.
Vanessa Wilson and Lucy Wells then took to the crease and again impressive bowling from the home side saw us lose a wicket to the first ball. The pair quickly reorganised and went on to score and impressive 22 runs, despite missing out on 2 boundaries with some smart fielding.
Time for Khan and debutant Harget and what a fantastic 4 overs from the pair, scoring 27 both with a boundary and losing no wickets.
Final pair stepping up for Thors, Lea and Pitt, also on debut, an impressive 13 runs scored between the pair losing 1 wicket, the score at the end of the innings 86-5.
Heathcoat now in to bat Khan stepped up with the ball to start the innings and struck with her second ball, caught and bowled the new Heathcoat batter. Bowling partner Harget kept it tight in the second over however with some good running and the help of a boundary the first pair scored 27. Thors had their work cut out.
Wells came onto bowl next and some impressive tight bowling saw her take a much-needed wicket with partner Wilson taking two. We were back in the game.
The final four overs were tense – The regular death bowling partnership of May and Whiteley continued the Thorverton fight back. A wicket fell with the fifth ball thanks to captain Whiteley and bought us right back in to the game.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be and the game was lost by 5.
We are getting closer every week and having so much fun. Thank you to Katherine and Alice stepping in at short notice both making impressive debuts for the team.
Thank you to Heathcoat for a good game, played in great spirits. Thanks also to Ben Slaviero for umpiring Jason Van Der Meulen and Keeley Wells for scoring.
Next game is in just two days time on Tuesday 21st June, a friendly at home to Culmstock.
After Fridays heatwave, the 2nd XI entertained Kentisbeare 1st XI at a refreshingly cooler Station Ground. Stirling again lost the toss and Kentisbeare put the hosts in.
Farley and Daldorph once again took on opening duties and got the hosts off to a flier, both taking advantage of the hardness of the new ball & the rapid outfield to consistently find the fence, taking Thors to an impressive 83-0 from the first ten. The hundred partnership was brought up in the 15th over, and Daldorph’s 50 was reached off 53 balls in just 45 minutes of play.
Kentisbeare finally got Farley for 38 in the 18th over, ran out after Busch missed the stumps with a direct throw, the ball was kicked back onto the non-strikers stumps by bowler Peter Kittow.
The eagerly anticipated returning of Luke Vukusic at 3 got off to a solid start with Daldorph, taking the hosts to 147-1 at drinks.
Daldorph brought up his second league 100 of the season from just 96 balls before falling to Kittow, chopping on for 105. A great innings that included 16 fours. Thors 179-2 after 29 overs.
Andy Daldorph walks off after his 105
Baldock joined Vukusic and was swiftly removed for 5, bowled by Sanders. Debutant Sam Jefferson joined Vukusic and the pair continued to accumulate with some lovely shots and good running. Vukusic brought up a well earned 50 from 48 balls before being caught and bowled by Sanders for 59, with the score 257-4 with 5 left. Jefferson followed shortly after for 23.
Grant Squire & Jay Porter saw us through the remaining 5 overs with some kamikaze running which they both managed to survive. Squire finished with 13*, Porter 10* and the total 283-5 from our overs.
After one of the annual highlights for the 2nd XI, a Carol Farley tea, Thors took to the field with the light and threatening clouds looking less than ideal.
Erin Vukusic bowled Sanders with the first ball of the innings with a great inswinger that the Kentisbeare skipper took a while to process what had just happened. Brother Luke opened from the other end and the pair kept things below the required run rate, Luke then bowling Norman for 4 and the visitors were 30-2 after 8.
With the light fading sharply and the clouds looking even more threatening, a double spin change of Baker & Stirling came into the attack to try and get through as many overs before the impending rain came in. Baker removed Kittow LBW for 8 and Stirling also hit the pads of Bendall for 15, the visitors 63-4 from 19.1 overs when the rain hammered down, just 5 balls short of making a game under the league’s rules.
The heavy rain continued for 40 minutes and play resumed at 6:05pm. The visitors recalculated target 214 from 34 overs.
Baker (2-14) and Stirling (2-28) continued their spells until they were bowled out , both picking up another in the process, the visitors 72-6 after 23 overs as Coe and E.Vukusic came back into the attack.
Vukusic struck straight away, getting Busch caught by Baker for 5. Erin finished her 7 overs with impressive figures of 2-15. Luke replaced his sister from the River End.
Coe got in on the act, removing Scott Chappell, the only act of resistance for the visitors for a well made 50, bowled top of off.
In the final over, Coe had P.Chappell caught by A.Daldorph for 2 and struck with the very final ball to remove McQueenie for 0 and claimed all 20 points for the hosts, Kentisbeare 137ao and 76 runs short of the revised target.
Skipper Jack Stirling “Another impressive win with the ever dependable Andy Daldorph doing the business yet again. Great performances from Luke and Sam considering they’ve been away for a few months. To nearly bowl 20 overs in an hour after the innings break to try and ensure we got a result is testament to our attitude as a unit. Great stuff from the ball from Erin, Jonny and Olly to see things home. Everyone now knows their roles in this side and we need to continue to perform them well to get to where we need to be”.
The win keeps the 2nd XI 15 points clear at the top of the E East, as we host North Devon 3rd XI next Saturday.
Thorverton Cricket Club 