Budleigh Salterton were the visitors for the 1st XIs first home league game of the season.
Thors lined up with: Greed, Fielder, Diamond, Van der Meulen, Robbins, H. Choules, Pitt, Hooper, Slaviero, J. Choules, Jopling
Choules won the toss and elected to field. Initially it looked to be the correct decision as Budleigh were reeling at 25-3. 2 wickets for Van der Meulen with thanks to diving catches from Harry Choules and one for Slaviero who cleaned up a Budleigh opener.
Budleigh rebuilt, however, and were 93-3 at the halfway point. Choules then took 2 wickets in an over including overseas player, Peiris, who was trapped lbw for 47.
Wickets continued to tumble and Thors had Budleigh 117-7. The visitors though continued to accumulate runs at a good rate, largely thanks to 84 not out from James Doble. Thorverton struggled to bowl in consitent areas, there were too many extras and the visitors ended up on 251-9.
The tea provided by Keeley Wells
After a fantastic tea thanks to Keeley Wells, Greed and Fielder set about the significant chase. Matters weren’t helped by Fielder being adjudged lbw for 0 early on.
However, Diamond and Greed saw out the rest of the powerplay until Diamond fell for 34. The score was 47-2.
Next came Thor’s most encouraging spell of the innings as Greed (47) and Van der Meulen (42) looked fully in control at the crease putting on 78 for the third wicket. However both fell in quick succession and Budleigh never looked back.
A collapse ensued and Thors fell from 125-2 to 151 all out. Nobody outside the top 4 made double figures.
Thorverton learnt the hard way that things will be tougher in the A Division as opposition teams bat deeper and the bowling is a lot more consistent. With lessons learnt and 7 bonus points collected, it is a trip to city side Exeter next.
The team taking on Cullompton:- L-R, Back Row:-Tash Carbines, Nic Fice, Lucy Harget, Charli Harlow Front Row:- Ness Wilson, Cat Vincent, Sophie Whitley (c), Lisa May
The Womens softball team were in action again on Sunday at Cullompton; the reverse of last weeks fixture.
There were debuts for Nic Fice and Cat Vincent with Thorverton lining up as:
Sophie Whiteley (C), Lisa May, Vanessa Wilson, Natasha Carbines, Cat Vincent, Nic Fice, Lucy Harget and Charli Harlow.
There had been plenty of rain overnight resulting in a wet outfield but luckily the astroturf pitch could be used. Having won the toss, Thorverton took to the field. May opened the bowling followed by captain Whiteley who struck with her first ball – a sharp caught and bowled to dismiss her opposite number. Cullomptons first pair finished on 20-1.
Carbines and Wilson bowled the next set of 4 overs which were full of action. Quick fielding and an accurate throw from Harget into Carbines resulted in a run out in the first. The Cullompton pair then came back with a couple of boundaries in the second before the Harget and Carbines combo struck again with an identical run-out. The final over swung back to Cully with Coonick striking a four and a six! 48-3 at halfway.
The momentum continued with the home side through the overs of Fice and Vincent who were both bowling for the first time ever in a match, the score stood at 91-3 with four overs to go. Harget and Harlow were the final Thorvy players to bowl, but it was their fielding that created the wicket. A pinpoint throw from Harlow and quick hands from Hargetresulted in the third run-out of the innings. Similarly to the previous week Cullompton were aided by a few wides and finished on a total of 130-4.
Tash Carbines pulls
Having taken four wickets the Thorverton chase started on 20. The May-Whiteley opening partnership worked well with both players striking two boundaries each and putting on a 30 without losing a wicket to take the score to 50. The accurate Cully bowling quartet soon got into their rhythm though and took the wicket of Wilson. Carbines counter attacked with a boundary before a mix up between resulted in a run out and the score at 72-2 at halfway. Fice and Vincent left the ball well to pick up the extras but the bowling was becoming increasingly hard to get away and a good catch in the field left the score at 95-3. The final pair of Harget and Harlow were left with a big ask of 50 from the final four overs. The intent was clearly there with a boundary off the first ball and quick running between the wickets. Harlow carved a four through the off-side but was then smartly caught the next ball. Hargetwent all out, smashing the ball straight and through the leg-side for three boundaries in the penultimate over.
The Cully captain took the final over and was right on target.The Thorvy pairs great running continued with three twos but it was Cully who had the final say with Harget out bowled going for another boundary. It was a valiant effort with 45 scored from the final four overs but it was not quite enough as Cullompton came out on top by 15 runs.
Thank you to Cullompton for getting the game on and providing a fantastic tea – good luck for the rest of your season!
A definite improvement for the Womens team in their second league match with all eight players contributing with bowling, batting and in the field. More runs scored and wickets taken than the previous week, two debutants and plenty to take forward into training.
We also bid a fond farewell to Charli Harlow as she moves away, good luck ‘up North’ and hope to see you soon!
At home, doing the shopping or down the pub and want to watch TCC in action? Well, now you can!
We are delighted to announce that from Saturday 14th May, we will be streaming live home fixtures (when available) on our YouTube channel. The club is now in possession of a Frogbox Streaming Kit, courtesy of Andy Pitt who won a competition on The Cricketer Magazine website.
The Frogbox is an impressive piece of kit, linking with live scoring apps to provide a live score display on the screen and automatically creating match highlights reels. The software also creates an opportunity to promote our valued sponsors on the streams.
The club will be streaming via the newly launched Thorverton CC YouTube channel, which you can view and subscribe to HERE.
Keep an eye out on our social media feeds for a streaming link on Saturday!
The side taking on Cullompton. Back Row L-R: Keeley Wells (scorer), Juliette Lea, Lisa May, Gemma Pollard, Lucy Wells, Charli Harlow, Ben Slaviero (umpire). Front row L-R: Vanessa Wilson, Lucy Harget, Sophie Whiteley, Sureka Khan, Tash Carbines
On Sunday the Station Ground saw Thorverton Womens team play their first ever home game in the Devon Women’s Softball League. Cullompton were the visitors on a sunny afternoon and having won the toss they put Thorverton into bat.
The Thorverton side lined up as: Sophie Whiteley, Natasha Carbines, Vanessa Wilson, Lucy Harget, Lisa May, SurekaKhan, Lucy Wells, Charli Harlow, Juliette Lea and Gemma Pollard.
Harlow and Harget were the first pair to bat and after a tight couple of overs they managed to get the scoreboard moving, with a number of quick 2s and a well struck 4 by Harget. They returned after their 4 overs with the score on 20 for no loss.
Whiteley and Pollard continued the flow of runs with Whiteley striking 2 boundaries and the pair running well. Cullompton struck back though with 2 wickets in the 8th over from the bowling of Diggle, adding 10 to the visitors score.
Sureka Khan finding the leg-side boundary
The momentum continued with Cully as they took another wicket in the 9th over. Smart field placings prevented the pair of Khan and Lea finding the boundary on numerous occasions and after the 12th over the score was 68 for the loss of 3 wickets.
Carbines and Wilson were the final pair in with Cullys bowlers now in a good rhythm. The scoreboard did keep ticking over though with Wilson in particular playing some confident shots through the off-side.
After 16 overs the score finished on 83 for the loss of 3 wickets, meaning Cullompton would start on 15.
Ness Wilson on the drive
Cully got off to a good start in the chase with 22 runs coming from the first 3 overs. Harget took a much needed wicket in the 5th over whilst only going for 1 run. The next overs from Carbines and Wilson only went for 3 in total and Thors looked like they were back in the game with the score at 45 now chasing 88.
The momentum was soon back with the visitors though with a couple of well struck boundaries and the help of a few wides!
After 12 overs the score was up to 80 with no sign of letting up. A catch just went a miss and the final Cully pair finished with a flourish to come out deserving winners with a total of 107 to Thorvertons 88.
An encouraging game for the Womens side in their first league fixture, with good performances all round with the bat and in the field. Plenty to work on too, particularly the adaption to match bowling with new balls, no cones and a bit of wind!
Tash Carbines pulls to leg
Training resumes on Tuesday from 6:30pm with the return fixture vs Cullompton next Sunday at 10am.
A big thank you to Paul Jordan for preparing the pitch, Ben Slaviero for umpiring, Jason Van Der Meulen, Keeley Wells and Alex Jopling for scoring, Dom Carbines for running the bar and all those who came down to support!
After a 32 year hiatus, Thorverton CC were back in the 2nd tier of the Devon Cricket League. It was a trip to sunny Torquay and the Recreation Ground which has previously hosted minor counties and first class cricket. No better place to start then.
The XI was: Chilcott, Fielder+, Diamond, Van der Meulen, Robbins, Pitt, Hooper, Daldorph, Slaviero, Jopling and Choules*.
Choules won the toss and elected to bat. A few eyebrows were raised by some of the home spectators, perhaps it was a brave call for a newly promoted club against the 2015 Premier Division champions.
The top order stuck to the game plan as the opening pair put on 33 until Fielder was cruelly run out. Another 30 was added by Diamond and Chilcott until the latter was unlucky to be adjudged lbw.
Thors had the momentum from here as Van der Meulen (21) and Robbins (28) upped the scoring rate. At 154-4 and plenty of overs left, a good score was on the cards.
Unfortunately a small collapse ensued taking the score to 169-8. However a gritty 16 not out by Jopling, supported by Daldroph and latterly Choules secured a score of over 200 and 4 bonus points.
Torquay required 204 to win and Tim Western and Chris Kelmere seeked to take advantage of the powerplay for the hosts. However after a few overs each, Slaviero and Van der Meulen found their stride and stemmed the flow of runs. This was followed up by Daldorph and Jopling who both went at less than 4 an over.
Torquay always seemed up with the required rate but in a similar vein to Thorverton, lost a clump of wickets going from 150-5 to 166-8.
With the hosts’ overseas player, Jiniv Joshi, still in they had a good chance. Slaviero cleaned up the opposition number 10 with the score on 189 and it was too close to call.
The hosts required 15 runs and Thorverton required one wicket.
Joshi took the initiative as he clearly didn’t want to leave it to the number 11. He skied one off the bowling of Choules, it was agonisingly dropped on the rope and it continued over for 6. He quickly finished the game from there and Torquay had the win.
Thors came agonisingly close to starting off life in the A Division with a win but it wasn’t to be. The skipper remained proud of the team who showed a great account of themselves. The 8 bonus points may become very handy at the end of the season.
Under beautiful blue skies and the warm May sunshine, the Devon League got underway at Station Ground yesterday as the 2nd XI entertained Woodbury & Newton St Cyres 1st XI.
Thors lined up with Andy Daldorph, Ben Coe, Bobby Heard, Paul Stirling+, David Baldock, Nick Taverner, Jay Porter, James Meredith, Jimmy May, Jack Stirling*, Olly Coe.
The visitor’s skipper Nalin Chouhan won the toss and had showed no hesitation in electing to bat first with the wicket & outfield looking in pristine condition for early May. Olly Coe and Jay Porter formed the new ball partnership. W&NSC openers Purohit and Jackson took the game to the young opening pair and raced to a 50 partnership inside ten overs, taking advantage of the odd loose ball and gladly accepting a few extras.
A double bowling change in the form of Ben Coe’s medium pace and Bobby Heard’s off-spin was employed to counter the positive start and soon paid dividends with Purohit being bowled by Heard for 27. The bowling pair combined in the following over with Jackson cutting a rare loose ball from Coe to Heard at backward point, who pocketed a smart catch above his head to leave the visitors 62-2.
Jarman came to the crease with a considerable amount of intent and struck Coe for 4 before falling into the trap and slapping Heard down the ground to Daldorph at long on, who made a good deal of ground to take a tidy grab. Heard then trapped Edgehill in front just two balls later and suddenly the visitors found themselves 65-4. Coe and Heard kept plugging away and building pressure on Chouhan and Spurrell, which materialised in a running mix up which Olly Coe showed great composure at point to cooly find Paul Stirling and left him little to do behind the stumps. The pair bowled their allotted nine overs, Heard finishing with 3-24 and Coe 1-18, leaving the visitors at 91-5 after 26 overs.
Another double bowling change saw James Meredith and Jack Stirling keep it tight for the next four overs, with Stirling bowling his opposite number Chouhan for 26, then Moretta LBW for 0 three balls later. Martin Pearce brief 11 ball stint at the crease brought 16 runs before chipping Meredith to Taverner. The age-old superstition of Nelson had visited Station Ground and the batting side found themselves in a spot of bother at 111-8.
Becca Silk and keeper Chris Collyer added some resistance, sticking around for ten overs to frustrate Thors. Olly Coe returned to remove Silk for a well made 17, caught low down by Baldock at point. Collyer continued to frustrate the fielding side until the close of innings, surviving 67 balls for 29 not out. Olly Coe finished with 1-55, Meredith 1-33 and skipper Jack Stirling sent down his an economical 9 overs, 6 maidens, 2-9. W&NSC closed with a score of 164-9.
Daldorph plays Chouhan off his pads
Daldorph and Coe opened up the Thors reply building a solid base of 35-0 after the first ten overs. The Woodbury opening pair of Pearce and Chouhan bowled tight lines but found the odd loose ball put away by a nonchalant Coe and an imperious Daldorph.
Coe struck the only 6 of the game off Chohan over deep square leg. The impressive Becca Silk offered some control with her off spin and had Daldorph caught and bowled down low with just her third ball, Daldorph departing for 17 from 41 balls. Heard joined Coe and the pair quietly went about their task, moving the score onto 98-1 at drinks.
After the drinks break, the pair attacked the change bowlers, with Coe bringing up his 50 in the 25th over. By now the pair had started to dominate the W&NSC attack; Coe commanding with drives, sweeps and cuts and an imposing Heard ably supporting him. The pair never looked troubled and cruised Thors to victory with over ten overs remaining. Coe finishing on a magnificent 85* from 110 balls, Heard cruelly just missing out on a half-century with 49* from 59.
Thanks to the friendly Woodbury & Newton St Cyres for playing the game in the right spirit, to Alan Birmingham for umpiring and Isaac May for scoring. Next up for Thors is a trip to Newton Poppleford to take on Sidmouth 3rd XI.
We are pleased to announce that Mosaic Rwanda will be sponsoring our Women & Girls Soft Ball team’s shirts for the 2022 season!
Mosaic Rwanda is a newly established UK based charity. The charity is in the process of getting a bank account and you should be able to donate later on in the season. We will publish details when you are able to.
Mosaic Rwanda is working to make the world a more inclusive place. They champion the value, worth, potential and involvement of all people in society, particularly those facing challenges related to mental health, special educational needs and different forms of disability.
They do this by working in partnership with local people in Rwanda who are making a difference in their community. This involves grant-making but goes beyond the giving and receiving of finance; they partner, they encourage and they commit.
You can find out more about Mosaic Rwanda on their website HERE
Pre-season drew to a close as the 1st XI took on Bridestowe in a 40 over game at Station Ground.
Jake Choules won the toss and Thors would be batting first. We lined up with: Fielder, Greed, Coe, Van Der Meulen, Robbins, Baldock, Porter, Diamond, Slaverio, Jopling, Choules.
Andy and George Daldorph were drafted in to help the opposition.
Greed fell early but Fielder and Coe worked hard to put on 87 for the 2nd wicket. George Daldorph impressing with the ball for the visitors. When Fielder fell for an encouraging 48 just after drinks, the score was 104-2 and a solid platform had been set.
The run rate increased after drinks, but we lost a stream of wickets with Robbins falling victim to a run out after a mix up in the middle. Baldock and Porter came and went shortly after.
Van der Meulen was still there though and he and Diamond put on a swift 52. Thors were 186-7 with 3 overs to go.
When Jason fell for 49, Diamond (30) was ably assisted by Slaverio (10) to bring the score over 200 and we finished up on 215-7. Thors demonstrating the benefits of having wickets in hand going into the back end of an innings.
In response, Bridestowe got off to a good start with the Thorverton bowling providing too many extras to assist them. Approaching the drinks break the visitors were 97-1.
Jopling had demonstrated that pace off was the way forwards, again bowling with great control for no reward. The skipper got the breakthrough right on the drinks break, getting his opposite number with help from a neat stumping by Porter.
After drinks, Choules bowled James Ewen for 28 and it felt like Thorverton were back in control.
Bridestowe struggled to get a partnership together from there as we took steady wickets and stemmed the run flow. Jopling’s 8 overs went for just 23, Robbins also bowled an encouraging 8 over spell from the river end, while the skipper ended up with figures of 4-26.
Despite the best efforts of George Daldorph (13* from 9 balls) at the end, the visitors ended on 171-7.
There were spells of the game where the visitors were on top with the B Division outfit providing a stern pre season test. Thorverton showed great determination to turn things around, a positive sign for the league season which starts next weekend.
Huge thanks to Bob Rice and Jimmy May for their work in the sore box and to Paul Jordan for umpiring.
After last week’s loss to Sandford, pre season got into full swing this week as the 1s hosted Bradninch and the 2s visited Cullompton. It can be a challenge to get 2 sides out in April and with over 20 unavailable it was encouraging to see two strong XIs.
The 1s lined up with: Greed, Fielder, Chilcott, Van Der Meulen, Baldock, H. Choules, Robbins, Porter, G. Daldorph, Slaverio, J. Choules.
Bradninch won the toss and elected to bat first at Station Ground. The visitors’ top order set about positively and despite some expansive shots, Slaverio and Daldorph picked up 2 early wickets apiece, leaving the score at 39-4 at the end of the first powerplay.
Sam Franks and opposition captain Eliot Acton shored things up for the visitors although Jason Van Der Meulen caused them plenty of problems bowling 6 overs for just 12 runs.
After the drinks break, Jake Choules broke the partnership trapping Franks LBW as the score reached 96-5.
Wickets then continued to tumble at a steady rate with Choules picking up 3 and Daldorph completing his 5fa. Eliot Acton was the last man to fall, bowled by Paul Fielder for 56. Thors required 132 to win.
Greed and Fielder set about the target, showing great discipline and patience to ensure valuable time in the middle. The pair put on 75 for the opening stand with Fielder eventually falling for 21.
Chilcott then came and went, shortly before Greed retired on 50.
Van Der Meulen (25) and Baldock (12) made quick work of the rest of the target. The former hit a huge six into the neighbouring field to win the game with 11.5 overs to go.
Pre season concludes next weekend as we host Bridestowe on Saturday and Heathcoat for the Richard Cabburn memorial game on Sunday.
Skipper Choules is hoping for more valuable time in the middle for batters and would like to see the bowling unit cut down on extras ahead of the league season.
The 2nd XI took to the field for the first time At a breezy Landspeed Meadow to take on Cullompton yesterday. Jack Stirling won the toss and elected to bat.
Farley and A.Daldorph opened the innings on a green but firm pitch. Daldorph hit a couple of classy fours in the opening over of the match before receiving the death rattle after a beauty of an inswinger from Chris Beal. Ben Coe was next man in and managed to dispatch Griffin over the square leg boundary for 6 before being bowled by Beal.
Paul Stirling joined Farley and Cully kept it tight for the next ten overs before Stirling fell LBW to Pullin. Grant Squire was next in and put on 37 with Farley for the 4th wicket before falling to Pullin for 14. Henry Squire came in at six. Farley was well caught and bowled by Prince Xavier for a well made 40 with the score on 111. Henry Squire played some classy shots for a well made 24, including a pull for 6 into the perimeter fencing protecting the Great Western Line before being caught on the pull. Cully were clinical with their bowling to the tail and Thors were quickly 135 all out.
The return of cricket teas for the 2nd XI for the first time since 2019 was extremely well received by the visitors; thank you to our friends at Cully for providing a good spread.
As Thors took to the field, the sun came out and the temperature rose. The junior new ball pairing of Henry Squire and Olly Coe showed good control and Squire struck twice in the third over, nicking friend behind for a tidy catch by Paul Stirling, before trapping Xavier in front LBW. Coe then bowled Palmer with a stunning outswinger to leave Cullompton 26-3.
A double bowling change of Jack Stirling and James Meredith was rewarded immediately as Smith was well caught by Farley at deep midwicket off Meredith. Stirling had Pullin LBW two balls later to leave Cully 39-5 after ten overs.
Stephen Kelly and Richard Stevenson hung around before Stirling beat the outside edge of Stevenson and was well stumped by brother Paul. Meredith then bowled Kelly through the gate to reduce the home side to 61-7.
Cully skipper James Blackmore played some well timed shots as Beal fell LBW to Stirling and Meredith bowled Griffin. Blackmore was the last man out, caught by Grant Squire at extra cover, Cully finished up 75 all out. Stirling finished with figures of 4-11 and Meredith 3-31.
Thorverton Cricket Club 