There were 5 changes for the 1s following the abandonment at Tavistock last week. Team: L.Vukusic, D.Robbins, B.Coe, S.Yelverton, H.Choules+, G.Daldorph, D.Baldock, S.Jefferson, B.Slaviero, S.Tait, J.Choules*.

Amongst a heatwave, the rain still managed to find Torquay in the morning as the teams arrived. The weather cleared up by the time of the toss when Choules elected to field. The Torquay openers started aggressively to make the skipper question his decision with Kelmere in particular finding the boundary regularly. Daldorph attempted to put the opener off his stride with a bouncer but that was comprehensively pulled for a maximum over deep square leg. Next ball, however, with a new ball, Kelmere attempted another hook which was cooly claimed behind by Harry Choules.

Never to be outdone, Slaviero got his first a couple of overs later when overseas player Roux looped one to the safe hands of compatriot Stu Tait. Slavs had another inside the powerplay when he swiftly cleaned up Passenger. Torquay 47-3 after 10.

The end of the powerplay brought a flurry of wickets when Daldorph struck 2 in 2 and wasn’t a million miles away with the hat-trick ball. Yelverton, replacing Slaviero, struck first ball to get opener Western via a snick behind as Torquay were suddenly 57-6.

Hunt and Baxendale rebuilt for the hosts until the skipper joined the attack and removed Hunt from his second ball. By halfway the hosts were 97-7 which became 110-8 when Slaverio replaced Robbins. Then when Choules had his second Torquay seemed to be on the brink at 113-9.

The last wicket partnership proved extremely stubborn with Baxendale and number 11 Dabhade showing no signs of rolling over. Thors rotated the bowling but despite some close calls including a dropped chance and a rapid bouncer from Daldorph couldn’t make the breakthrough. Baxendale passed his half century which was followed by the 50 partnership as the total passed 150. Eventually Robbins had Baxendale (55) with a couple of overs to go to leave Thors needing a reasonable 187 to win.

Robbins and Vukusic started the chase solidly, punishing early looseners and
making the most of the early extras. Robbins set the tone with a crunching cover drive and a 6 over the duck pond as the 50 partnership came up within 7 overs and Torquay’s stubborn 10th wicket partnership was almost instantly cancelled out. Robbins (37) had to go next over when he was given LBW but not before another maximum.

Incoming Coe did well to rotate the strike with Vukusic despite carrying an injury as Thors reached 72-1 after 10. Vukusic took a liking to the change bowling, particularly the spin of Passenger, as the pair continued to accumulate. Baxendale and Kelmere tightened things up for their team but Thors showed patience, reaching 93-1 after 20.

Coe got the total over 3 figures before being caught for a patient 8 from 53 balls. At the other end, Vukusic looked more and more comfortable, scoring from most balls and punishing any width with ease as he passed a well deserved half century. It only took Yelverton a couple of overs to get his eye in as he pumped a 4 followed by a maximum in the 26th as the visitors moved within 60 runs.

The pair sensibly moved towards the target with no real chances given. Yelverton would’ve been frustrated to eventually fall for 45 with his team 10 short of the total, but Harry Choules got straight to work with a crunching cover drive. Fittingly, Vukusic (77*) finished it with two boundaries as Thors win by 7 wickets with 9 and a half overs to spare.

Scorecard

League Table

Thors move back up to 4th in the table with back to back home games next, starting with Kilmington on Saturday.

The newest format of cricket is taking off at Thorverton after some well attended sessions throughout May and June. Walking Cricket is a low-impact version of traditional cricket designed to accommodate players of all ages and abilities, especially older adults or those with reduced mobility.

True to its name, running is not required; players walk to score runs and move between positions. The game retains the essence of cricket, including batting, bowling, and fielding, but with simplified rules and a slower pace to ensure inclusivity and enjoyment for everyone.

Our sessions on Wednesday afternoons (3pm-4:30pm) have had an eclectic mix of participants, ranging from a club legend with over a thousand wickets to those who have never picked a cricket bat before! Here’s what some of the participants had to say:-

“I came along primarily to meet new people and see what it was like. Having played cricket until I was 30, all be it at a low standard, I was concerned that I would want something more competitive, but with a wildly eclectic mix of people, ranging from a club legend, to several people who have never played, we make it work. Watching someone who doesn’t know what a six is, hit one back over my head is surprisingly good fun. We all creek a bit but everyone encourages everyone else and the end result is a very enjoyable way to spend Wednesday afternoons. A special word for Keith, without whom it would never happen.”

“Thorverton Cricket Club, a huge thank you for introducing walking cricket for the summer months! I’ve never played cricket before, but this has been a fantastic experience. It’s great fun, and I was surprised by how much of a workout it is – it’s a fantastic all-round fitness activity. Plus, meeting new people and enjoying tea, coffee, and delicious cakes made by Penny and Sally is the icing on the cake. What more could you ask for?”

“I’m really enjoying the walking cricket and to meet new people and have fun at the same time.”

“Another super afternoon of sport and camaraderie.”

Our thanks go to Keith Cudby for running the Walking Cricket sessions & to the Devon Cricket League for their funding support via the discretionary grant scheme which allowed us to purchase specific kit for the Walking Cricket group. 

We really hope that Walking Cricket at Thorverton continues to grow & newcomers are encouraged to come and join us on Wednesday afternoons between 3pm & 4:30pm. No equipment is required and to help the club grow Walking Cricket a free membership will be provided to participants for 2025. Sign up on our membermojo website HERE.

The 1st XI leaving sunny Thorverton for a grey looking Dartmoor to take on Tavistock were: A.Pitt, D.Robbins, B.Coe, S.Yelverton, H.Choules+, G.Daldorph, B.Heard, F.Fenner, B.Slaviero, A.Jopling, J.Choules*.

There was a heavy downpour on arrival resulting in a delayed start. Eventually a 32 over game was agreed which would kick off at 2.30. Robbins and Pitt started positively for Thors but at 11-0 from 2, the rain came back. We lost a further 2 overs per side now making the game 30 overs per innings.

The openers picked up where they left off, capitalising on any bad balls before Pitt played on for 10 as the score reached 25-1 in the 4th. Coe supported Robbins as the pair turned the strike over and ran well to keep the pressure on the hosts. Robbins was patient in putting away the bad balls until one flicked his pad, went down the leg side and veteran wicket keeper Dave Manning took a sublime stumping to remove Robbins for 28.

Yelverton joined Coe to negotiate the opening 10 overs as the total reached a solid 51-2. However, it was Shane’s turn to play on a couple of overs later. After 2 more relatively high scoring overs as Choules joined Coe, the latter was given LBW for 16. Wickets stemming the flow of runs somewhat as we reached 75-4 around halfway.

The windy conditions caused a few running mix ups between Choules and Daldorph before Harry was eventually run out for 15. Heard and Daldorph had more success rotating the strike with George also finding the boundary on occasion to up the rate again. Three figures and the second batting bonus point were passed with 7 overs to bowl.

An attempted flick gone wrong was the end of Daldorph for 21 which brought a steady stream of wickets in the closing stages as Thors limped to 125-9.

There was a quick turnaround at halfway with no teas as Slaviero and Daldorph set about keeping the league leaders under the required 4 an over. They did just that, wrapping the pads and beating the bat regularly with no reward. There was the occasional big drive attempted by the home openers but Thors felt comfortable at 17-0 from the 6 over powerplay.

The skipper replaced Slaviero and was nearly rewarded instantly but palmed a caught and bowled chance. Then halfway through Yelverton’s first over, the rain came back with the total 26-0 from 9.2 overs.

The rain didn’t clear and both sides had to settle for an abandonment, Thors picking up a useful 10 points at the league leader’s.

Scorecard

League Table

We slip to a still-respectable 5th in the tight league table with a tough trip to English Riviera on the horizon next week.

The Energy Systems Player of the Month for May has been awarded to Awrangzeb Khogiani.

Awrang has been a great addition on and off the field at Thorverton since moving from Exwick in the winter, scoring 157 runs in May, including 54 (43) against Honiton and 66 (45) against Heathcoat. He celebrated with 37 (14) against Newton Tracey today.

He also took 9 wickets in June, including a best of 4-65 at Heathcoat. He was rewarded for his good form with a 1st XI debut away at Plympton.

Well done Awrang!

There were 2 changes to the 1st XI who were trying to make it 3 wins from 3 at Plympton. Team: D. Robbins, N.Chaplin, A.Kingdon, S.Yelverton, H.Choules+, G.Daldorph, B.Heard, A.Khogiani, B.Slaviero, A.Jopling, J.Choules*.

With some rain in the air, the hosts elected to bowl after winning the toss. Looking to repeat his first ball last week, Robbins attempted to pull a short ball but was caught at square leg. Kingdon joined Chaplin who was off the mark with a boundary through third man and the pair did well to negotiate the early exchanges until the rain got heavier after 7 overs with the score 25-1. The umpires took the teams off briefly until a break in the rain; only 2 overs aside were lost making it a 48 over affair.

Kingdon and Chaplin continued where they left off, sensibly playing the opening bowlers and running well. Nick found the boundary 3 times in the 10th over to bring the total to 39-1 from the powerplay. Kingdon got in on the act after the powerplay picking up 3 boundaries himself. Another shorter ball was the undoing of Chaplin as he played on for a well made 33. Yelverton came and went shortly after when he also picked out a fielder from a short ball. Thros 76-3 at the 17 over drinks break.

Choules joined Kingdon for another rebuild and the left handers calmed things down again until the latter fell for 27. 111-4 after 25.

When Choules was given LBW for 20 with 20 overs to go and Daldorph chipped one to mid off a couple of balls later, Thors were in trouble at 120-6. Things went from bad to worse as Khogiani couldn’t trouble the scorers on debut but Heard and Slaviero were studious in their response. The pair rotated the strike well but took few risks as they kept things ticking along. Slavs struck boundaries when the field came up as the pair added 50 in 10 overs to put Thors back on track towards a respectable total.

After Slaviero went for a helpful 22, Jopling couldn’t add any more before being bowled, so the skipper joined Heard for the final wicket. They rotated without risk until 3 overs to go when the umpires got together to confirm Plympton were behind the over rate. In years gone by this would have meant 18 penalty runs but a new ruling for 2025 meant that Plympton could have 1 fewer fielder outside the 30 yard circle instead – this doing little to alter Thor’s approach, particularly that of the skipper. However, he and Heard did take the score into the 180s before Bobby was caught for 19 with 1 over left.

After tea, Slaviero bowled into the wind for a change as Daldorph had the breeze and wedding bells from the neighbouring church behind him. This did nothing to put Slaviero off his usual relentless areas and despite Torley squeezing a few boundaries off of Daldorph, George had his man LBW in the 6th. Plympton skipper Kandampully joined county regular Hamilton and started aggressively. However, he was undone when Slaviero got one to move off the seam for a deserved wicket. Plympton 33-2 from 10.

Hamilton took 6 off Robbins’ first ball as he replaced Slaviero but Robbins had the key wicket in his second over when Hamilton fell LBW. It was 2 from 2 when he bowled Ford first ball to give the visitors a sniff at 54-4.

Amongst the drama, Yelverton was toiling at the wedding-bell-end and, despite a few early looseners, kept things tight. Overseas star Motswiri looked confident from the outset for the hosts and his counter attacking put the pressure back on Thors. He and Barker gave no real chances as Thors turned to spin for a breakthrough to no avail. When Plympton required less than 3 figures, Motswiri went up another gear and passed his half century. By the time Robbins removed him via a well judged catch from Jopling for a run a ball 76, Plympton only required 16 more.

Yelverton came agonisingly close to giving Thors another bowling bonus point when he repeatedly beat the outside edge but Plympton got over the line with no further damage and 10 overs left. Thors had to settle for 5 points.

Scorecard

League Table

We only slip down one place in the table to 4th but the ladder remains exceptionally tight throughout with a tough run of fixtures to come – starting with a derby-date with Cullompton at Station Ground next week.

Thorverton Cricket Club can confirm that an application for planning permission for a new pavilion has today been validated by Mid Devon District Council. It can be viewed online HERE.

The application will be subject to a consultation period and is due for determination before the 24th July 2025. We are hopeful that MDDC will look favourably on the application.

How can you help?

• Write in support. You can write in support of the application via the above link. You may choose to mention the benefits of a new pavilion or the design, for example.
• Fundraising. Whilst Planning is a significant step in the process, there is lots of fundraising work still to be done. Many grants require planning permission to be in place first. You can help by arranging and attending fundraising events, suggesting new fundraising projects or applying for grants. Do contact the committee if you feel you can assist – if we have enough volunteers we hope to set up a fundraising sub committee.

Thank you to those involved in reaching this point, including the professional consultants and pavilion sub committee. Particular thanks to DMA Architects for their patience and hard work.

We hope and look forward for a positive outcome.

Back by popular demand, our famous iPod shuffle night will take place after the league fixtures on Saturday the 19th July.

In case you’re not familiar with the format, songs are available to be purchased for £5 prior or the evening. There is no limit on the number of songs you can buy! They will be added to a playlist which will be shuffled – if your song is played last you win a share of the pot!

There are extra rewards and punishments throughout the evening such as money back for first song played and drinks offers.

Looking to build on last week’s win, there was one change for the 1st XI hosting Bovey Tracey who were relegated from the Premier Division last term. Team: A.Pitt, N.Chaplin, A.Kingdon, S.Yelverton, H.Choules+, G.Daldorph, D.Robbins, S.Hardwicke, B.Slaviero, A.Jopling, J.Choules*.

After winning the toss, the skipper elected to bowl in cloudy conditions. Slaviero and Daldorph got to work, hitting their usual relentless areas until George was rewarded in the 6th over when Bradley was removed with a simple LBW. Overseas pro Van Staden looked to be positive as he entered the fray but there was a good battle between bat and ball as the total reached 32-1 from the initial 10 over powerplay.

With left handed opener Pascoe still in, the skipper turned to off spinner Hardwicke early from the River End. Thors were rewarded instantly when Hardwicke had his man LBW first ball. The introduction of Yelverton at the Pavilion End also brought about a wicket when Foreman sliced one to Jopling at point. Bovey 44-3.

The change bowlers kept things tight but Thors job was made harder when Pitt damaged his thumb putting one down in the covers and the hosts had to field with 10 for the remainder. The response was positive and eventually Yelverton had another when he cleaned up Andrew for 3 from 34 balls. It was during Shane’s next over when Thors could really celebrate as Shane got one to nip back to remove Van Staden for 36. Bovey had reached 74-5 at halfway.

Jopling bowled a couple of tight overs either side of the drinks break as Russell and Bradley sought to rebuild for the visitors. It was the Yelverton Show by now though and the saffa had his fourth when he removed Russell in his final over. The skipper toiled tightly at the River End while rotating his seamers at the Pavillon End with Daldorph getting number 7 by bowling Harvey for 24. By the time the quick also had Hill caught behind the score was 126-8.

Choules removed opposite number Bradley via safe hands from Hardwicke and Slaviero had a deserved wicket to finish things off. Bovey 133 all out in the 43rd over.

With Pitt yet to return from A&E, Robbins joined Chaplin to open up after a plentiful H. Choules tea. Chaplin looked to be positive from the outset and was helped by a no ball and free hit to take 10 from the first over. Not to be outdone, Robbins smashed his first ball over square leg into the next field. He helped himself to another boundary before falling LBW. Chaplin also added another boundary before following Robbins when he was caught in the gulley for 13. Thors 25-2 after 4.

Bovey tails were up but Yelverton and the experienced Kingdon negotiated the rest of the powerplay without further chance as the total reached a solid 55-2 from 10. Left hander Kingdon in particular timed the ball excellently from the outset and it wasn’t long before Shane joined him in finding the boundary regularly.

The change bowling did nothing to deter the pair and 5 overs later the score had raced to 90-2. Shane accelerated further as the total passed three figures and he moved to 47* with 12 runs still required. Next over, however, Kingdon (35*) cut away two more 4s then 5 wides meant Yelverton couldn’t reach his 50 by the time Thors had won with 30 overs still unbowled.

Scorecard

League Table

A convincing display as the 20 points puts Thors 3rd in the early and congested A Division table. Next week the opening month rounds off with a trip to Plympton – the other club relegated from the Premier Division last year.

We are delighted to be running our summer camp during the May half term.

10am-3pm on 27th, 28th, 29th May

Price:- £60 for three days or £25 for one day.

Sign up here:- https://thorverton-cricket-club.sumupstore.com/product/summer-camps

After crashing out in the first round at Exmouth last year, it was another away tie for Thors in the Devon T20 Cup.

Team: A.Kingdon, N.Chaplin, S.Yelverton, G.Daldorph, H.Choules+, F.Fenner, S.Hardwicke, B.Slaviero, S.Tait, A.Jopling, J.Choules.

The skipper won the toss and elected to field on the notoriously high scoring ground. The dangerous Tom Gooding had some early joy with the opening fielding restrictions before Slaviero snaffled fellow Aussie Cucontis down the leg side. Next over, George dislodged the dangerman’s middle stump to allow Thors to stem the flow. Kilmington 25-2 from 4.

There were a couple more wickets in the opening powerplay when Slaviero caught and bowled Cann and Daldorph removed Trott. The end of the powerplay brought Choules and Yelverton into the attack, generally keeping things tight. The skipper produced a maiden in his second over which included Seward being put down. By halfway Kilmington had stumbled to 42-4.

Wickets continued to dry up with two more chances going down off the bowling of Choules but Yelverton eventually had a deserved wicket in the 14th when he cleaned up Srikantaprasad. Skipper Reed joined Seward and the pair began to run well but with limited boundaries. Jopling broke a bail removing Reed and was on a hat trick when another Reed came and went. Kilmington 77-7 with 3 left.

A tight over from Hardwicke allowed Jopling and Slaviero to close out. Burrough had some joy when he struck a maximum in the last over but Slaviero made sure to have the last laugh on the final ball.

Kilmington 99-8, Seward 36 not out.

Kilmington looked keen to repay some of Thorverton’s favours when Chaplin was dropped early on while Kingdon got off the mark with a boundary, showcasing some classy drives from the outset. Chaplin was clearly in a rush and helped himself to 12 runs off of a Cuconits over before being caught off of Reed. Yelverton came and went after being given caught behind as the total reached 20-2 from 4.

Things escalated even more rapidly when Daldorph entered the fray and marched down the pitch first ball, ultimately taking 16 off of his first 6 balls faced. Not to be outdone, Kingdon took 16 off of the next over as we raced to 52-2 from 6. Cann was next to feel the wrath of Daldorph before Aitken removed Kingdon for a run a ball 25 and subsequently George for 42 from just 23 balls. At 93-4 at halfway, the damage was done.

Choules and Fenner made no mistake in finishing the job off, capped by a boundary for the latter.

Scorecard

Thors advance to the Quarter Finals and await the winner of Sidmouth and Cullompton who play on Wednesday.