The season was nicely rounded off with our end of season dinner on Saturday at Thorverton Memorial Hall. Around 60 members from all areas of the club were in attendance.
Awards winners
Thanks to all those who helped organise the evening and those who to set & tidy up, to Dan’s American Kitchen for the food, all the bar staff at the Memorial Hall for an enjoyable evening.
1st XI skipper Jake Choules hasn’t hung around in his off-season recruitment & has today confirmed the signing of exciting all-arounder Awrangzeb Khogiani from Exwick.
Awrang has already played 4 matches for Thorverton in 2024, impressing with both bat and ball. His seam bowling picked up 4-31 in an impressive win over a strong Premier Division Sandford side in a T20 friendly.
Khogiani made his Exwick debut in 2023 and in his 22 Devon League fixtures so far has picked up 45 wickets at an average of just 12 & scored 372 runs at 21.88. Two fifers and a 78 are his most impressive returns so far.
Skipper Jake Choules:-
“Really pleased to have signed Awrang who will be a great addition to the squad. His stats are really impressive and it’s not surprising that he wants to test himself at a higher level and that there was interest from other clubs. He really impressed with his attitude, bowling and big hitting in the t20s he played for us in the summer so looking forward to seeing what he can do in the league.”
Below are the player stats for the 1st, 2nd & 3rd XIs in DCL matches for 2024.
1st XI
Batting (min 200 runs)
Brendan Coetzee – 395 runs @ 23.24. 2 x 50. HS 53
George Daldorph – 386 runs @ 32.17. 2 x 50. HS 70
Andy Pitt – 351 runs @ 21.94. 1 x 100. HS 122
Harry Choules – 286 runs @ 20.43. 2 x 50. HS 85
Dan Robbins – 243 runs @ 22.09. 1 x 100. HS 108
Bowling (min 10 wickets)
Ben Slaviero – 36 wkts @ 15.28. 1 x 5fa. BB 5-15
Dan Robbins – 17 wkts @ 21.53. BB 4-28
Alex Jopling – 15 wkts @ 21.93. BB 3-2
Jake Choules – 15 wkts @ 28.53. 1 x 5fa. BB 5-29
Andy Pitt – 12 wkts @ 29.92. BB 2-12
Fielding (min 5 dismissals)
Harry Choules – 20 victims (19 catches, 1 stumping)
George Daldorph – 8 victims (7 catches, 1 run out)
Ben Slaviero – 5 catches
Dan Robbins – 5 catches
2nd XI
Batting (min 175 runs)
Andy Daldorph – 456 runs @ 28.5. 2 x 50. HS 98
Dave Baldock – 329 runs @ 41.13. 1 x 100, 1 x 50. HS 115*
Paul Stirling – 312 runs @ 22.29. 2 x 50. HS 88
Shane Yelverton – 186 runs @ 46.5. 2 x 50. HS 85*
Jonny Baker – 178 runs @ 59.33. 1 x 50. HS 52
Bowling (min 8 wkts)
Jacob Broom – 11 wkts @ 20.64. BB 3-31
Shane Yelverton – 10 wkts @ 18.4. BB 4-9
Jonny Baker – 9 wkts @ 34. BB 2-24
Jack Stirling – 8 wkts @ 32.5. BB 3-15
Imogen Daldorph – 8 wkts @ 37.63. BB 2-19
Fielding (min 5 dismissals)
Paul Stirling – 11 dismissals (9 catches, 2 stumpings)
Dave Baldock – 5 dismissals (4 catches, 1 run out)
Jacob Broom – 5 catches
3rd XI
Batting (min 80 runs)
James Meredith – 135 runs @ 16.88. 1 x 50. HS 65*
Joseph Matthews – 122 runs @ 24.4. HS 31
Isaac May – 91 runs @ 22.75. HS 38
Rob Money – 89 runs @ 14.83. HS 14.83. HS 39
Nick Taverner – 82 runs @ 27.33. HS 78
Bowling (min 4 wkts)
Aidan Lea – 11 wkts @ 17.45. BB 4-20
Chris Winzer – 7 wkts @ 16.43. BB 4-25
Joe Milford – 5 wkts @ 33.6. BB 1-8
Flinn Brazier – 4 wkts @ 26. BB 2-19
Nathan Buckeridge – 4 wkts @ 50.25. BB 1-11
Fielding (min 4 dismissals)
Andrew Smerdon – 4 catches
Saturday saw the Energy Systems Player of the Month Award presented to Harry Choules for his match-winning 85 against Kilmington.
Harry has had a stellar 2024 season amassing 516 runs of which 286 came in the A Division including two 50s. Behind the stumps he’s also snaffled 20 league victims; 19 catches and a stumping.
Congrats Harry!
The final first XI of the year was; A. Pitt, H. Choules+, B. Coetzee, G. Daldorph, M. Wilkinson, B. Coe, B. Heard, H. Squire, B. Slaviero, A. Jopling, J. Choules*.
There was little riding on the game with North Devon already crowned as champions and Thors guaranteed A Division cricket next term.
The skipper won the toss and unsurprisingly elected to bat so the majority of the side could enjoy the stunning Instow surroundings while Pitt and H. Choules opened up. The latter’s experiment opening was short lived when Popham got one to swing the other way to remove the left hander.
After a tight start from the hosts, Pitt & Coetzee eventually benefitted from the rapid outfield with anything that beat the infield running away for 4. It was the short ball that did for Pitt in the end when he was caught for 16. Daldorph, also promoted up the order, joined Coetzee as the pair rotated the strike against the change bowling when the hosts turned to some spin. Just after passing the first batting point, Thors lost another when Coetzee was bowled for 25 in his last outing in a Thors shirt before he heads back to South Africa for a short stint before coming back to the UK again to study.
Wilkinson joined Daldorph as the hosts continued to rotate their bowlers regularly with the new man finding the boundary regularly, clearly enjoying the ball coming on. The duo accelerated as we entered the middle of the innings and were aided by a flurry of North Devon extras – one of which had Daldorph stumped off of a wide. Thors 90-4 at halfway.
The momentum continued when Coe entered the fray albeit Wilkinson was clearly the aggressor, bringing up his 50 just after Coe went for 16. By now the total had reached 157-5 with 15 to go and Wilkinson was really beginning to free the arms. Eventually he was caught for a better than a run a ball 69 just before getting his side to 200. Squire came and went and it was down to Heard and the tail to get a competitive total on board.
Slaviero struck a sweet six before being bowled, all the while Heard steadily accumulating with relative ease. However when he holed out for 32, Choules joined Jopling at 217-9. The final pair struggled for boundaries with the field still spread but got the total to 241 with some good running before Jops was caught on the final ball. The skipper reaching a total of 60 not outs for the 1st XI in the process.
After a plentiful tea, North Devon appeared to be in a rush to get their promotion party started – Bowser and Rothery striking at 10 an over for the first 6 and until Slaviero caught and bowled the former. The skipper brought himself on to attempt to tighten up and went close to getting Rothery on a number of occasions, but it was the introduction of Pitt that did for the opener when Heard caught him for 58. NDCC 91-2 from 10.
The following spell was better for the visitors and Choules had his wicket when Windley holed out to Slaviero. The control didn’t last long when overseas player Lakmal accelerated after the 17 over drinks break. Thors rotated bowlers frequently in an attempt for wickets but the champions elect remained in control as they reached 178-3 at halfway.
Pitt gave Thors another bowling bonus point when he removed Valeri via a 3rd Slaviero catch while Jopling deserved more as he toiled at the other end. With less than 40 more required with 18 overs still to bowl, there was chance to have a look at Wilkinson’s leg spin for the first time in a competitive environment.
However, no more wickets could be snaffled and the champions cruised home with 13 overs left to bowl. Lakmal finishing 86 not out.
With most other results going against Thors, we finish a disappointing 8th in the final standings, the lowest placing of the season. Spirits remained high in the camp post match though with an eagerness to climb the table next summer.
The 1st XI for their final home of the season was: A. Pitt, B. Coe, B. Coetzee, B. Heard, H. Choules+, G. Daldorph, D. Robbins, B. Slaviero, A. Jopling, J. Choules*.
2nd place Bridestowe were the visitors and with some rain overnight, a delayed start meant the game was reduced to 40 overs per side. The skipper won the toss and elected to bat.
Pitt got the hosts off to a good side, making the most of anything too straight from Devon Lions bowler Ethan Guest, which included a well timed maximum through mid wicket. Opposition skipper Burns had more joy from the other end and kept things relatively tight. He had Pitt dropped at cover but eventually had his man LBW for 24 as the total reached 38-1 after the 8 over powerplay.
Coetzee joined Coe as the pair made the most of some looseners from the change bowlers before Coetzee was run out for 26 on the halfway mark. Thors 80-2.
Heard, promoted up the order, didn’t get much strike as Coe looked to increase the rate which was eventually his undoing when he fell for 42. Choules came and went for 5 as Bridestowe tightened things up. Daldorph unsurprisingly went hard from the outset and was supported by some positive strokeplay and running from Heard.
130-4 with 5 to go became 162-4 going into the final over as Daldorph found the boundary regularly. Heard was eventually given caught behind on the first ball of the final over for 23 then Robbins and Daldorph (33*) could only add a few more singles.
After tea, Slaviero got Thors off to a good start in front of numerous sponsors and VPs as he snicked off both openers, safely snaffled behind by Choules. Broom got in on the act when Heard took a smart grab at cover as Bridestowe stumbled to 12-3.
However, overseas player Glasgow and pro rugby player Billy Searle fought back for the visitors and found the boundary on a couple of occasions as the powerplay came to a close. The pair milked the change bowling of Choules and Robbins for plenty of singles with Searle in particular punishing any bad balls.
The score was 82-3 at halfway when Pitt and Jopling were introduced to attempt to break the partnership. The pair bowled well but the batters took few risks in reaching their half centuries – something Searle has done in every match he’s played this season.
Going into the last 10, the writing appeared to be on the wall for Thors until Slaviero was re-introduced for his final 3 overs and cleaned up Searle for 57. With 30 more required, Glasgow and Horn sensibly continued to accumulate and brought the scores level with 4 overs still to go.
There was still time for plenty of action though when Glasgow tried to finish in style but was caught at cover for 71 off of Choules. Jopling had his old club scampering for pads when Horn skied one then Penberthy picked out the skipper at cover. When Jops bowled Pengelly, he had a triple wicket maiden and Thors has taken an absurd 4 wickets while the scores were level.
It was captain V captain when Choules bowled the penultimate over to Burns who’s side were now 8 wickets down. The first ball was defended then the second, with a bit more flight, smashed agonisingly through the hands of short mid wicket for the winning runs.
Despite some late drama, Thors lose by 2 wickets with 10 balls to spare. However, we obtained 7 bonus points to keep us in the top half and guarantee A Division cricket next season.
Thanks to Bob Rice in the scorebox and all of the efforts to chip in for a mammoth Sponsors and VP’s tea.
With 3 games to go, the 1s found themselves in 6th place but still not mathematically safe from relegation as the A Division relegation battle continued to hot up.
The team to host 5th place Hatherleigh was: A.Pitt, L.Vukusic, B.Coetzee, M.Wilkinson, H.Choules+, G.Daldorph, D.Robbins, B.Heard, B.Slaviero, A.Jopling, J.Choules*.
The skipper won the toss at an overcast Station Ground and elected to bat first. Thors were aided by a few early looseners which added some early extras to the total whilst Pitt & Vukusic sensibly and comfortably rotated the strike. A scrumptious straight drive from Pitt brought about the first boundary of the day as the score reached a steady 16-0 from the first 5. The openers increased the rate after negotiating the opening 5 with boundaries coming more regularly which, in turn, brought about some more erratic bowling from the visitors.
However, Vukusic holed out for 12 attempting to go over extra cover for a second time as the score reached 43-1 after 12. Pitt sportingly walked off for 27 after edging one behind a few overs later to give Nielson his second.
Coetzee and Wilkinson were therefore tasked with rebuilding which was no mean feat with overseas professional Ghosh now into the attack from the River End. The pair looked comfortable though and a cover drive from Wilkinson in particular reduced some pressure. However, another drive after drinks was his undoing and at 56-3 Choules joined Coetzee for more rebuilding.
The pair patiently saw off Ghosh and Nielson and the score reached 93-3 with 20 overs to go. Hatherleigh continued to keep things tight as Coetzee (29) struck a reverse sweep to the fielder attempting to increase the rate after the second drinks break, but was run out when he was called through for the single.
Daldorph joined Choules and the duo ran well from the outset, taking on the single from more defensive strokes. It wasn’t long before George struck a couple of boundaries with the 38th over being struck for 14. Thors 124-4 with 12 to go.
Daldorph continued positively as Choules was understandably happy to give the youngster most of the strike. Three more boundaries came in the 40th over as the total approached 150 and the 3rd batting bonus point. Missing a sweep was eventually the undoing of Daldorph but a destructive 27 from 16 balls put the pressure back on the visitors.
Robbins picked up where Daldorph left off much to the frustration of Hatherleigh as he struck the ball with both timing and power from the outset. By the time Choules played on for 33, the score was 170-6 with 6 to go.
Bobby Heard continued where Choules left off, getting bat on ball to rotate the strike and put pressure on the fielders by running hard. Robbins appeared to have clubbed another to the boundary but a smart catch from Presswell put pay to another destructive innings as Robbins had to depart for 25 from just 17 balls.
Slaviero joined Heard with the pair needing around a run a ball to reach 200 but with the field spread, did so comfortably. A strike for 4 off the final ball from Slaviero gave Thors a decent 209-7 from their 50.
After a great tea from Alex Jopling and his many helpers, plus a quick team photo, Slaviero had new ball in hand for the defence. He immediately undid his strike for 4 off the last ball with 5 wides but soon found his areas other than one over-ptiched delivery that Quick got away for 4.
With a reoccurrence of Daldorph’s side strain, Vukusic was given the new cherry at the River End and strode in with enthusiasm from the outset. He was rewarded after just 4 balls when he wrapped opener Fishleigh on the toe who had to go, LBW.
Ghosh joined Quick at the crease with Thors and the ever increasing number of supporters at Station Ground aware this would be a key partnership. Ghosh ran well to put pressure on the ring fielders whilst Quick looked to take the attack to Vukusic in particular. Hatherleigh 22-1 from 6.
There was a huge appeal for caught behind in the 7th when Slaviero thought he had Ghosh but the umpire’s finger stayed in his pocket. However, the very next ball, with an extra spring in his step, Slaviero wrapped Ghosh on the pad and now had the key wicket. Pace, bounce and swing followed with Presswell doing well to negotiate the rest of a phenomenal Slaviero over.
When Quick played on to Vukusic in the 10th, Thors smelt blood early on. Solkin saw his off stump removed next ball with Hatherleigh suddenly 30-4 and Vukusic on a hat trick. The hat trick ball was a good one, a well directed yorker but it was handled well by Cockwill. However, he went next over when a jaffer from Slaviero dislodged the top of middle and off. 42-5 became 42-6 when Slavs picked up his 3rd and it was time for Jopling and Robbins to join the attack.
Both hit their areas early on to keep the pressure on the visitors and a smart catch behind from Choules gave Robbins an early wicket – with Leahy sportingly walking off as Pitt did earlier in the day.
Jopling deservedly dealt with the tail when a caught and bowled from a full ball removed Nielson then straight ones with a bit of extra flight were enough for numbers 10 and 11. There was another hat-trick ball for good measure.
A ruthless Thors performance left Hatherleigh 47 all out from 16 overs as we leapfrog the visitors into the top half of the table. Thanks to Jess Morrish in the scorebox, Matt Godfrey behind the camera lens and all of the supporters.
Next week is the final home game of the season for the 1s as Bridestowe visit Station Ground on Sponsors & VPs Day.
Sunday 28th July saw our annual community cricket day take place.
Andy Davies’ side with Exeter Chiefs connections took home the Denise Lesniak trophy after a fun-filled day in the sunshine. Four well matched sides with a blend of youth & experience battled it out with the following results.
Results:
The Butterleigh beat the Club
Chiefs beat the Village
Chiefs beat The Butterleigh
Cricket Club beat the Village
Finished with a friendly match between a butterleigh/club side and the village
There were some fantastic performances, notably the youngsters from Butterleigh and the bucket hands of many of the Chiefs side. There were plenty of sixes on the shortened boundary.
Many thanks to:-
Keith Cudby and Isaac May for umpiring
Bob & Ben Rice in the scorebox
All the volunteers who took a stint on the bar
Noel Tancock for cooking up bacon rolls in the morning
Andy Pitt and Sam Fice for arranging the day
The Exeter Inn for running the BBQ
Andrew Baker for the use of the car parking field
Matt Godfrey for the photographs
All the teams – Paul Thomas for organising the Butterleigh team and Andy Davies & Jack Yeandle from the Chiefs.
We hope to see you all again next year!
There were 2 changes to the first XI hoping to end the winless run at home to Kilmington: A.Pitt, D.Robbins, L.Vukusic, B.Coetzee, H.Choules+, G.Daldorph, D.Baldock, S.Jefferson, B.Slaviero, A.Jopling, J.Choules*.
After improved performances with the bat last week and in mid week, the skipper elected to bat at the toss. There was life in the pitch early on and some movement in the air before the clouds cleared. Ollie Reed in particular made things happen for the hosts and got one to nip back and clip the bails to remove Pitt 3rd over after Robbins got off the mark with a pull for 4 the previous over. There were a couple more boundaries for Robbins while Rockett struggled to find his areas but eventually Reed removed him too when the opener was unlucky to play on. The score 18-2 when Coetzee joined Vukusic at the crease.
The pair rebuilt well, rotating the strike and finding the boundary regularly enough when the spin of change bowlers Seaward and Crabb was introduced. Another pull for 4, this time from Vukusic, brought the total to a solid 67-2 at the first (17 overs) drinks break. The pair continued steadily and moved into the 30s as the visitors rotated their bowling and Thors approached 3 figures at the halfway stage. Vukusic fell just before the milestone, however, for a well made 39 when he was trapped LBW by Garner. The wicket didn’t halt Thors steady progress though as Choules joined Coetzee and continued to rotate the strike and punish any bad balls.
The visitors re-introduced strike bowler Reed to try to break the partnership but it was to no avail with the strike continuing to rotate and Choules getting away some well timed drives. A well run 3 gave Coetzee his half century in the same period as the total reached 130-3 with 17 overs to bowl.
Crabb thought he had Coetzee caught behind soon after when one turned and bounced but the South African eventually fell to Garner when he holed out to mid off. Choules then became the aggressor as Daldorph was able to play himself in and the score ticked into the 160s going into the final 10.
There was plenty of joy for the increasingly familiar partnership in the closing overs with the boundary being found regularly by both. Choules brought up his half century in the 45th and the 200 came up the following over which allowed the pair to free the arms even more. A pull for 6 from Choules followed by a wristy flick for 4 from Daldorph were signs of great Thors momentum. The latter was eventually caught and bowled by Seaward for a more than useful 36 as veteran Baldock joined Choules for the closing stages.
A slap over mid on by Choules for 6 more followed up by a Baldock cut for 4 brought Thors close to full batting points in the final over. Choules (85) finished the job with 2 6s into the field before being caught last ball as the hosts finished 252-6.
Thors supporters would have been pleased to see the opening bowling partnership of Slaviero and Daldorph return after tea albeit the ever aggressive Gooding found the boundary a few times early on. However, he went once too many when he sliced one to point off of Daldorph and Jopling eventually juggled it in. George was very much back, albeit on a shorter run up, when he removed opposition overseas Whelan caught and bowled as the score reached 33-2 at the end of the opening powerplay. That became 33-3 when Slaviero cleaned up Rockett next over to put the hosts very much on top.
Robbins kept things tight when he replaced Slaviero as Daldorph continued to bowl through on an ever decreasing run up. At drinks the score was 42-3. After the break, the visitors upped the attacking intent but not without casualty when another Rockett holed out to Coetzee at mid on off of Robbins. 72-4 became 85-4 at the halfway point with incoming left hander Seaward timing the ball well from the outset.
Jopling was bowling with great control at the River End and had his rewards when a frustrated Garner picked out Daldorph at long on and a wrongun removed Fuzzard the very next ball. 100-6 became 100-7 when the skipper bowled Reed with his first ball at the Pavilion End.
The 8th wicket partnership was a frustrating one for Thors as the Killy attention appeared to turn to bonus points rather than the chase while Seaward and Olive rotated well but without risk. The former passing his half century shortly after being put down by the captain in a perhaps too simple caught and bowled chance. It wasn’t to prove too costly though when the left hander picked out Robbins at mid off a few overs later and Thors finally had the breakthrough. Kilmington 138-8 with 10 to go.
Slaviero was introduced hoping to clean things up but Olive and youngster Trott negotiated the onslaught of quick bowling well and Olive began to find the boundary in the latter stages as Thors searched for the final wickets with attacking fields and rotating bowlers. With Slavs bowled out, Robbins got the job done with help from a smart catch by Harry Choules running in front of square and 4 and out from Crabb at number 11 just as Jefferson was primed to bowl the final over.
Thors pick up maximum points and jump back up to 6th in the 10 team division, leapfrogging Kilmington.
Yesterday saw the Energy Systems SW Ltd Player of the Month awarded to Dave Baldock for his 115* in the 2nd XI fixture against Barnstaple & Pilton 1st XI. Balders reached his 115* off just 86 balls, including 18 fours and 1 six.
Since joining the club from South Devon in 2012, Baldock has racked up nearly 4000 DCL runs at an average of 28.10. This is his fourth century in league cricket for Thors, following a couple for the 1st XI scoring 126* v Shobrooke Park in 2013 & 101* v Ipplepen in 2019, plus 104* for the 2nd XI against Topsham St James in 2022. All four of Balders’ league centuries for Thors have been unbeaten.
So far this term Balders has stuck 309 runs at an average of 28.09 & has captained the 2nd XI for the majority of the season.
Well done Balders!
Thorverton Cricket Club