Premier Division high fliers Sandford stepped in at the last minute to give Thors a T20 fixture after Cullompton unfortunately pulled out – and any spectators would be glad Sandford stepped in as what followed was a thriller.

Thors lined up with: A.Pitt, L.Vukusic, B.Coetzee, G.Daldorph, H.Choules+, B.Heard, A.Khogiani, A.Smeardon, B.Slaviero*, A.Jopling, J.Choules.

The mid week skipper negotiated the toss without a coin being flipped for takeaway related reasons and Thors would be fielding first in the afternoon sun. The skipper kept things tight first over as Daldorph turned his arm over from the River End as he worked his way back to fitness following a side strain that has kept him from bowling for over a month now. Promoted up the order, Jamie Palmer found the gaps from the get go as Sandford sought to make the most of the early fielding restrictions. Devon keeper Adam Small got going third over, flashing hard into the offside and finding the boundary through point and third man.

After just 1 over, Daldorph was replaced by Vukusic but the Sandford openers continued the onslaught and were 62-0 after the 6 over powerplay. Khogiani replaced Slaviero at the Pavilion End and looked the most threatening when the pink ball jumped when bowled short of a length. Anything full, however, was despatched. He got the deserved breakthrough though when Small snicked through to Harry Choules.

Jopling replaced Vukusic and his first over was tight. It included the run out of overseas pro Larka at the non strikers end after dropping a Palmer drive onto the stumps. Khogiani kept things tight next over and Thors had pinned Sandford back to 76-2 from 9 in their best period with the ball.

Choules had the task of defending the short leg side boundary which Palmer continued to attack with success as he approached his half century – but eventually fell for a well made 48 from 34 balls when Daldorph caught him on the rope. By now left hander Prasian Alias who played a pre season game for Thors in April was scoring more freely too. He was joined by Ryan Glass as Sandford accelerated again – 138-3 from 14 overs.

Choules had a second next over when Alias skied one to Coetzee at long off for 36. Gidney joined Glass and the pair benefitted from an inexplicable 6 overs-throws as they continued to push hard for the visitors. Vukusic replaced Jopling at the River End and dealt with Gidney first ball but that only brought Lawrence Walker to the crease who was fresh off a century for the county. He got off the mark with a single before reversing one through point and hammering one over mid off. Sandford 187-4 with 2 to go.

Khogiani was tasked with finishing off at the Pavilion End but there was a brutal onslaught from Walker who smashed 2 into the (thankfully recently cut) wheat field. Khogiani had his man though when Daldorph pouched another. There was still chance for 2 more wickets in the all action over when Heard took a grab and Khogiani (4-31) cleaned up Jack James.

With Sandford 199-8 going into the last, Slaviero closed out almost perfectly as Glass took a single frost ball. Rhys James was bowled a couple of balls later and when Glass tried to get back on strike for the last ball by running a leg bye, Harry Choules picked the ball up and knocked the stumps over with a direct hit to end the Sandford innings exactly 200 all out with one ball unbowled.

Despite the short boundary and pinging pink ball, 10 an over felt a daunting chase for the hosts. The required rate instantly snuck up when Jeacock bowled a sharp and tight first over which only went for 2. Vukusic had other ideas though and timed the ball with perfection from the off to take Palmer for 13 from his first over.

Jeacock continued to be tough to put away but anything that did beat the inner ring flew away for 4 on the rapid Station Ground outfield. Pitt mainly dealt in singles in the early exchanges but with Vukusic already going well, the total reached 46-0 at the end of the powerplay.

After the powerplay, Pitt also got going as Larka, tasked with defending the short boundary, and youngster Sebi Gibbs felt the full force of the Thors openers. Vukusic brought up his 50 in just the 8th over when he struck the first maximum of the innings into the field. Thors 64-0 so still behind the rate, albeit going well.

The middle overs were some of Thors most brutal though as Vukusic in particular increasingly smashed the boundary including some beautiful straight shots – not just relying on the short boundary. The period included taking 15 from Alias’ first over and 19 from Larka’s third as we raced to 134-0 from 13 and were ahead of the rate for the first time.

Alias did trap Pitt LBW in his second, however, who had to go for 26 from 36 balls. Thors now 145-1 from 15 as Coetzee joined Vukusic with a licence. There were a couple more Vukusic boundaries as he entered the late 90s. The field came up and Jack James kept things tight to put pressure on Luke but eventually a misfield gave him and his teammates what they were desperate for as he lifted his lid and raised his bat for an incredible 100 from just 57 deliveries.

In all the excitement, the run rate had slowed then Coetzee was stumped for 1 trying to get things going again. At 157-2 with just 3 to go, any sensible money would have been on the Premier champions.

The nonchalant Daldorph presumably does not bet sensibly though and took a ridiculous 24 off the 18th over as he smashed Larka into the field 3 times, scrambled a 2 and struck a further boundary. An additional wide gave 25 from the over and now 19 were needed from the last 12 balls.

A well run 2 followed by a sensible single from the centurion gave Daldorph the strike against Alias who struck 4 more as if it is the easiest thing in the world. Another single, followed by a final boundary for Vukusic left 7 needed from the last over.

Jeacock, the most economical bowler of the night, was tasked with bowling it and it was a quiet start with just 2 singles from the first 2 balls. 5 from 4 required became 3 from 3 when Daldorph found the boundary rider but got back for 2. There was time for a bit of stress and panic in the hutch when Daldorph tried to scoop Jeacock over fielder-less fine leg but was caught by Walker behind the sticks. 3 runs from 2 balls needed as Harry Choules joined Vukusic. The delivery was slightly over-pitched and Choules was able to confidently drive through extra cover for 4 to give Thors a memorable win with a ball to spare.

Vukusic finished with a superb 115 not out to get Thors over the line, helped by a brutal 33 from just 13 balls by George Daldorph.

Scorecard

Huge thanks again to Sandford and their volunteers for getting a game on at short notice. Also to Keith Cudby for umpiring fresh from a long day helping on the ground.

Saturday belatedly saw the Energy Systems SW Ltd Player of the Month for June awarded to Ben Slaviero. Slavs becomes just the fourth player to win the award twice since it’s inception in 2017, following in the footsteps of Paul Fielder, Andy Daldorph & George Daldorph.

Slavs was picked by the cricket committee for his 5-15 away against Bridestowe, which helped Thors skittle the hosts for just 76.

Slaviero is enjoying another golden year with the ball, taking 28 wickets in DCL competitions so far this term at an impressive average of just 14.61.

Ben also surpassed 100 1st XI league appearances for Thorverton in June. In his 103 appearances to date, he’s claimed 172 wickets at an average of 17, with 20 more in the DCL cups. A reminder that we interviewed Ben about his 100th appearance which you can read HERE.

Congratulations to Slavs!

There was 1 change to the first XI that should have played Tavistock last week when the 1s hosted high flying Torquay: D.Robbins, A.Pitt, L.Vukusic, B.Coetzee, H.Choules+, G.Daldorph, B.Heard, H.Squire, B.Slaviero, A.Jopling, J.Choules*.

The pitch looked a good one and confident it wouldn’t deteriorate much throughout the day, the skipper elected to bowl at the toss. With Daldorph still recovering from a side injury, teenager Henry Squire opened up with Slaviero. The pair beat the bat a couple of times but it wasn’t long before the Torquay openers took the attack to Thors. Chris Kelmere doing most of the damage by using his feet to great effect. Harry Choules helped pin things back by coming up to the stumps but Torquay still reached 34-0 from 6.

Struggling from illness, Squire was replaced by Vukusic at the River End and by now Slaviero had found great rhythm and beat the bat more regularly. Meanwhile there was a chance for Vukusic when Kelmere hit one slightly too high and hard for the skipper to cling on at Mid On. After 6 overs from the Pavilion End, Slaviero was replaced by Robbins who got the breakthrough when he cleaned up Tim Western. 55-1 from 13.

After a couple of tight overs, South African professional Roux joined Kelmere in finding the boundary regularly. With the total reaching 96-1, Jopling and Choules were introduced to try some spin. There was a boundary ball an over, however, and Kelmere passed his half century as the score reached 134-1 at halfway.

Desperate to slow things down, Slaviero bowled a couple of overs from the Pavilion End before being replaced by Robbins again and Choules tried his luck from the River End. It was a tighter period for Thors but was overshadowed by a few more tough chances going down. With 12 overs to go, Torquay brought up their 200 and Kelmere passed a well deserved century.

With Robbins bowled out and Roux starting to take a liking to Choules, Squire and Vukusic were reintroduced going into the last 10. Vukusic’s overs in particular were eventful with a couple of boundaries, overthrows and eventually the demise of Roux for a run a ball 85 as the skipper held on at Mid On this time. Opposition skipper Passenger waited a long time to come in but was cleaned up by Vukusic 2nd ball after snicking his first for 4.

255-3 became 255-4 when Squire got in on the act cleaning up Blaise Baker for an uneventful 0. He had another next over as he snicked off the number 6, albeit Kelmere was still finding the boundary regularly at the other end. Slaviero finally dismissed the centurion in the penultimate over for a punishing 149 from 156 balls who received applause and handshakes all round as he left the field. Torquay finished 294-6.

After a plentiful Heard tea, Pitt and Robbins got on with the challenging task of chasing them down. Robbins showed intent sticking his first ball for 4 but was caught out trying to go again 2nd ball.

Incoming Vukusic and Pitt were undeterred and kept the scoreboard ticking along, finding the boundary regularly and aided by plenty of extras from the visitors. The total was 53-2 when Vukusic played on in the 10th over.

Coetzee got off the mark with a well timed boundary and followed up with another to keep things moving along. Pitt was also looking comfortable, timing and running well. Coetzee seemed to only be dealing in boundaries when he despatched Hearn for a couple more boundaries. Unfortunately the encouraging partnership couldn’t make it to the first (17 over) drinks break when Pitt played on to, you guessed it, Kelmere who was having some day. Pitt with a well made 42 to put him back to the top of the Thors run scoring table for the season. There was time for another Coetzee boundary before drinks – 94-3.

Harry Choules understandably tried to give Coetzee most of the strike but a good turning ball from Passenger was his undoing as the total reached 123-4 approaching halfway. Coetzee brought up a well deserved half century at the halfway mark but was bowled next over in a damaging blow for Thors.

Heard and Daldorph had plenty of time to show their talents, however, using their feet well to show off their full range of shots. With 20 to go Thors reached 148-5. That became 167-6 when Heard fell with 15 to go as attention started to turn to bonus points as opposed to the significant target for the first time.

Torquay would have remembered Squire from runs in the return fixture and he supported Daldorph well as the total approached 200. The milestone was reached in the 45th over and Daldorph attempted to get on with things after that, but was caught on the edge of the ring for a well made 37. Slaviero came and went the same over – 200-8.

It was Jopling’s turn to support Squire who found the boundary a couple of times including a 6 over square leg – until Jops was caught trying to copy. The skipper and Squire (31*) negotiated an uneventful final couple of overs as Thors finished on a respectable 221-9.

Scorecard

League Table

An improved batting performance from Thors and if one of the starts had been able to push on, you feel we would have run Torquay close. A useful 7 bonus points and a bit of confidence were gained as we prepare to host Kilmington next week.

Thank you to Bob Rice for a busy day in the scorebox and Louise Heard on teas.

Our community cricket day will take place on Sunday 28th July, with teams from Thorverton CC, Butterleigh CC, a Thorverton Village XI & an XI put together by TCC player & Exeter Chiefs strength and conditioning rehab coach Andy Davies.

The teams will again play for the ‘Denise Lesniak Trophy’ which was kindly donated in memory of Denny, a devoted Thorverton and Exeter Chiefs supporter.

Please join us for what is always an enjoyable day of cricket & friendship. The bar will be open thoroughout the day, bacon butties available from 9am-11am and BBQ between 12pm-4pm.

There will be at least four ten over per side matches.

Order of Play (Subject to Change)

10am – Cricket Club v The Butterleigh

11.45am – Village v Chiefs

1.30om- Chiefs v The Butterleigh

3.15pm – Cricket Club v Village

5pm – Potential Final

A much changed 1st XI arrived at Plymstock with the sun just about breaking through the clouds. Team: B.Coe, L.Vukusic, B.Coetzee, G.Greed, G.Daldorph, B.Heard, P.Stirling+, B.Slaviero, A.Jopling, J.Choules*, J.Broom.

The skipper lost the toss and the hosts unsurprisingly elected to field in bowler friendly conditions. Billy Gibson in particular made use of the conditions, getting the ball to swing as well as move off the pitch. After surviving a couple of scares, Vukusic was eventually given LBW in the 4th over when he was wrapped on the foot.

Coe and Coetzee saw out the opening 10 overs as the total reached a steady 18-1 which may well have been more but for the slow outfield. By the time Coe fell 8 overs later, only 9 more runs had been added to the score thanks mainly to tight bowling from the hosts. As we approached the halfway mark, Coetzee looked to take the attack to Plymstock but was caught on the edge of the ring for 15.

The partnership of Greed and Daldorph arguably looked the most promising for Thors as the pair began to rotate the strike more freely. Daldorph then took Zimbabwe international Masvaure to the sword with a four then a straight maximum but then next ball one kept low and Thors were 59-4 with 20 overs to bowl.

Plymstock continued to keep things tight with plenty of maidens although Greed capitalised on a couple of rare full tosses. He and Heard were able to increase the rate more easily going into the last 10 when the field was spread but a mistimed strike from Greed (25) followed by the loss of Heard in quick succession halted any momentum at 84-6.

Slaviero came and went before Broom was promoted up the order with a welcome licence and things looked promising when he flashed at one hard enough to get 4 behind square. He connected next ball but was caught on the rope hitting into the wind. 90-8.

All the while Paul Stirling was looking comfortable but when Jopling was also caught on the rope, Stirling and Choules had a bit of work to do to get to three figures. They weren’t able to add many more to the total either when Stirling was unlucky to be run out for the final wicket. Thors 97AO.

A rare tea away from home was enjoyed before Slaviero and Broom got to work for the defence. The pair hit the pitch and signs were promising with Broom coming close to bowling Masvaure a number of times with shorter deliveries. In the 6th over Plymstock struck their first boundary but Slaviero got one to nip back next ball. 11-1.

Mitch who scored a century at Station Ground earlier in the season set about a counter attack while Slaviero removed
Masvaure LBW at the other end as the total reached 24-2 after 12 overs.

Mitch got a couple boundaries away to remove the pressure for the hosts who were also aided by a few too many extras. By the time Mitch was caught by Daldorph off of Choules for a run a ball 22, Plymstock only required 43 more. The skipper and Jopling found some rhythm to keep things tight with the latter taking a deserved wicket when Whalley went LBW for 12. The decision given by umpire David Hawke who was standing in his 1000th game.

Experienced campaigners Nicholls and Kerton took no risks as Plymstock edged towards the total. Slaviero was reintroduced as a last throw of the dice to complete his 10 over allocation and seemed to beat the bat almost every ball but couldn’t find the edge. With Slaviero seen off and the total a couple of strikes away, some attacking fields were set to the spinners to try to prize another wicket or 2 but Plymstock reached the total with no further scares and 18 overs left – just as Greed was getting loose.

Scorecard

League Table

It’s a third 3 point loss of the season for the 1s who slip to 6th in the A Division. Next week is another long away trip to Tavistock.

The second half of the season got underway with an early start due to England’s EURO 2024 Quarter Final as the 1s hosted Plymouth.

There were 4 changes to the XI which was: A.Pitt, D.Robbins, L.Vukusic, B.Coetzee, H.Choules+, M.Wilkinson, G.Greed, G.Daldorph, B.Heard, B.Slaviero, J.Choules*.

With some rain around in the morning the early start was delayed slightly and the game reduced to 45 overs per side. The Thors skipper won the toss and elected to bowl. With Daldorph still carrying an injury, Pitt was tasked with opening up with Slaviero. Plymouth’s overseas professional Siddiqui took an instant liking to Pitt, striking 10 from his first over.

Thors continued to leak runs in the early stages as Siddiqui aggressively found the boundary with increasing ease and other than an early appeal for caught behind, Thors were under real pressure. Robbins replaced Pitt and struck when he removed opposition skipper Stein in the 10th over. 49-1.

However, things got worse before they got better when Siddiqui continued his onslaught as Thors rotated their bowlers looking for answers. A change of ends for Robbins and the introduction of Vukusic got Thors back into it when Robbins picked up his second and Vukusic snicked off danger-man Siddiqui 2nd ball for 89 from 60 balls.

The bowling pair continued to pull things back for the hosts as the total reached 129-3 with 20 overs to go. With Robbins bowled out, the skipper brought himself back on which resulted in a run out following a powerful throw from Daldorph and smart work behind by Harry Choules. Heard struck next from the other end as the score reached 151-5.

Varcore and Haffenden rotated the strike well for the city side and punished any straight balls with sweeps and scoops. Going into the last 10, Heard had the latter bowled for 34 though.188-6. Vukusic and Slaviero were tasked with bowling the death overs and Luke struck again when he removed Varcoe. The runs continued to flow at a steady rate for Plymouth though, thanks largely to some very fine edges off of West’s bat.

With 4 overs still to go, Plymouth were into the 230s and would have been eyeing maximum batting points but Slaviero had other ideas thanks to 2 from 2 before Vukusic dealt with the number 11. Plymouth 237 all out.

After a hearty tea from the Vukusic family, Pitt and Robbins, who spent the break driving to Shobrooke and back, got on with what felt like a getable chase. It was a nightmare start though as Pitt was cleaned up 2nd ball.

Vukusic and Robbins looked solid in response though, Luke timing the ball along the carpet and Robbins punishing a drag down into the wheat field. However 34-1 became 34-2 when Siddiqui bowled Vukusic on what felt like the pro’s day. The real damage came 2 overs later when Coetzee and Robbins went in the same Siddiqui over and Thors were left reeling at 36-4.

Wilkinson and H. Choules, who was kindly walked to the crease by a Plymouth fielder, negotiated the rest of the powerplay and approached the first batting point before Wilkinson found short mid wicket in the 14th. Despite 2 weeks off, Greed looked in great touch as he swept Ali for back to back boundaries but was soon undone by a rare turning ball. When Choules was next to go a few overs later, things looked like they could get embarrassing at 64-7.

The youthful 8th wicket pairing of Daldorph and Heard had other ideas though and rotated the strike well in the middle overs, Daldorph striking a few boundaries in his nonchalant fashion to get going. Heard got in on the act when he hit a no ball for 4 and struck the free hit for 6 as the total reached 90-7. The good running continued as three figures were reached with 20 overs to go.

A couple of big overs against the spin kept the pressure on Plymouth as the duo looked more and more comfortable. The required runs crept under 100 then Daldorph brought up his well deserved half century when hope of an unlikely win started to creep in.

At 151-7 with 10 left, the pair continued to accumulate well but knew a couple of big overs would be needed to give Thors a real chance. The visitors were forced to reintroduce Siddiqui who would always be difficult to get after. Daldorph was cleaned up trying to do just that for a valiant 70 from 81 balls. He and Heard had set a new 8th wicket partnership for the club, surpassing the previous record set by Jake Crouch and Nick Taverner.

Slaviero could only add 1 more before falling LBW and with the skipper joining Heard at the crease at 190-9, attention turned to the 4th batting point rather than the win. Heard reached his half century with a single before Choules flicked Siddiqui for 4 to bring the score to 197-9 going into the last. Heard was given LBW as he tried a sweep in the last over and Thors had lost by 40 runs. A game of 2 good Thors recoveries but ultimately not enough.

Scorecard

League Table

Thanks to Bob Rice in the scorebox and those that helped facilitate the early start which allowed the teams to watch the football in the pavilion together post match.

Thors stay 5th in the table but the teams above have created more of a gap and the teams behind edge closer. It’s back to back away games next at Plymstock and Tavistock.

The headline game in the A Division was at Station Ground as the 3rd placed 1s faced top of the tree North Devon. Thors were unbeaten at home whist North Devon hadn’t lost at all since round 1.

There were 3 changes from the side that beat Bridestowe including a debut for 16 year old Jack Baker. The line up: A.Pitt, B.Coe, B.Coetzee, J.Baker, H.Choules+, G.Daldorph, B.Heard, H.Squire, B.Slaviero, A.Jopling, J.Choules.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bowl, no doubt backing themselves to chase any total following a mammoth chase of over 350 at Kilmington a few weeks ago. North opened up with the medium pace of Popham and spin of Tyson with the pair both instantly looking hard to get away. Coe attempted to drive a rare loose ball but found himself caught at point on the first ball of the 3rd over. The rest of the over was more fruitful for Thors thanks to a couple of extras and Coetzee getting off the mark with a well timed straight drive for 4.

The South African and Pitt looked comfortable rotating the strike for a few overs before a couple of maidens put the pressure back on the hosts. When Coetzee was bowled in the 8th the total was 15-2. Baker looked comfortable on debut until a mix up meant he was run out without scoring and North Devon had won the opening powerplay with the score 16-3.

Harry Choules also got off the mark with a boundary which was followed by 2 4s in an over from Pitt to bring the total into the 30s. But Thors couldn’t relax for long as Choules picked out the boundary rider after a rare loose ball from Tyson. Things looked like they could get embarrassing for the hosts from here when Pitt (16) was done by the swing of Atkinson who then cleaned up Heard with the ball of the day. Thors 36-6 with new bats Daldorph and Squire at the crease.

A boundary from George that rattled into a stone wall seemed to reduce the amount the ball was swinging and the pair were able to rotate the strike with relative ease. They passed the first batting point with a well run 2 and enforced some bowling changes for the hosts. Daldorph began to find the boundary more regularly with some well timed drives as the score reached 78-6 with 20 overs still to bowl.

Squire was eventually caught for a patient 16 from 53 balls when he also picked out the boundary rider from a loose ball. With 17 overs still to bowl, the skipper moved himself up the order but he and Daldorph could only add 4 more before Choules was out LBW. Thors 87-8.

Slaviero batted with patience while Daldorph increased the rate as the total reached 3 figures, George passing a well deserved half century in the process. With 10 overs to go, Slaviero was undone trying to increase the rate. Jopling managed a boundary before being caught by a sharp grab at slip as Thors found themselves 120 all out with over 6 overs unbowled.

The teams shared a fantastic Pitt tea with the 2s fixture at Instow streamed onto the screen in the clubhouse. With Daldorph still struggling with a side strain, Pitt was chosen to open up with Slaviero and Thors were rewarded when King picked out the skipper at short mid wicket in the 4th.

The early wicket only brought the league’s leading run scorer, Jack Moore, to the crease though who looked instantly comfortable. He and Bowser put the pressure back on the bowlers which resulted in a double bowling change with the score 52-1 from just 7 overs.

Choules and Squire kept things tight which was rewarded when Bowser (20) picked out Slaviero, again at short mid wicket, off of the skipper. Moore and incoming Whittaker rotated the strike well from the off with the left hand / right hand partnership making things hard work for the hosts.

With the score 93-2 at the first drinks break, the writing appeared to be on the wall although there was time for one more scalp when Slaviero bowled Whittaker right after drinks. Moore then took it upon himself to finish things off, striking a couple of maximums into the road on his way to 61 not out from 47 balls as North Devon got over the line by 7 wickets.

Scorecard

League Table

With only 3 bonus points awarded, Thors slipped down to 5th in the table at the halfway stage. The heavy defeats at Torquay and home to North Devon significantly impacting the bonus points columns. Next week the 1s are home again as city side Plymouth (4th) come to Station Ground.

The Covid Cup reached the half-way stage last night at Thors travelled to the County Ground to take on Exeter. In the absence of Ben Slaviero, Andy Pitt led the team; A.Pitt*, G.Daldorph, B.Coetzee, H.Choules+, D.Baldock, L.Vukusic, A.Davies, S.Tait, J.Stirling, F.Davidson, A.Davidson. Pitt lost the toss and the visitors were asked to field in the hot evening sunshine.

Tait & Vukusic took the new pink ball against Charles Clist and Australian import Eddie Steele, who got off to a flier. 5 Clist boundaries in the first two powerplay overs helped the hosts to 28-0 after the first two overs. Steele managed to find the fence once before pulling Tait to debutant teenager Freddie Davidson who confidently took the catch at backward square leg.

Clist followed with the first ball of Vukusic’s second over – third man brought into the ring left a gap Clist wanted to exploit with a reverse scoop, only to be yorked for an effective 24 from just ten balls. Jeremy Tojy managed a couple of fours off Tait before a change of pace. Coetzee planted over the ropes first ball by Payne, only to cut him straight to Tait who took a good catch above his head at point three balls later. Exeter 67-3 at the end of the powerplay.

Stirling was introduced from the Pavilion End and paid dividends immediately, Nott skying his second ball to Daldorph at long on. Paget managed to clear the ropes off a Coetzee no ball in the 8th over, but Tojy was then bowled by Coetzee for 18 and Exeter were five down after just 7.5.

Coetzee (3-31) had a third with Ryan Paget well stumped by Choules. 94-6 at the halfway mark. Josh Paget continued to score well before being trapped LBW by Freddie Davidson for 35 from 21. Stirling bowled out for 1-24, replaced by debutant Archie Davidson. Brother Freddie (2-20) had another, Rochester patting back a simple caught & bowled; 116-8.

Archie Davidson (2-8) then picked up a deserved couple to finish things off, Emdad stumped by Choules for 4 & Gribble bowled for 8. Exeter 136ao with 19 balls of their allocated overs left.

Pitt & an excited Daldorph opened the chase for Thors, Josh Nott starting things off for the hosts with a bit of a short ball barrage, two of which went to the boundary off Pitt’s bat, one over fine leg for 6. Daldorph struck a couple of boundaries off Emdad, one which very narrowly missed a spectating & blissfully nonchalant sausage dog on the midwicket boundary to take the visitors to 23-0 after two.

The fourth over was highly eventful, Thors losing their first, Daldorph (13 from 10) failing to clear Josh Paget at mid off who confused everyone, including himself by taking the catch one handed above his head, however 26 runs were scored from the set, including a Pitt 6. 55-1 off just four.

The spin of Josh Paget did for Coetzee (4 from 4) which brought Harry Choules to the crease. He patiently left his two balls before getting off the mark by sweeping Paget over the midwicket boundary. 76-2 at the end of the powerplay.

Pitt and Choules confidently rotated the strike and regularly found the boundary, reaching 99-2 at the halfway mark. Captain Pitt passed 50 with a swept 6 off Gribble, before Thors wrapped things up at 8:20pm with seven overs remaining, Pitt (61* off 36) & Choules’ (38* from 29) partnership of 81 coming from just 52 balls.

Scorecard

Next up in the cup is a trip Bradninch & Kentisbeare on Tuesday 2nd July.

Following a winless run of fixtures so far in June leaving them in the relegation places, 2nd XI took on 7th placed Ottery St Mary 2nd XI at Station Ground in the penultimate game of the first half of the season.

Ben Coe continued his lengthy inclusion in the travelling 1st XI contingent, so Dave Baldock again took the reins. The side:- A.Daldorph, J.Meredith, P.Thomas, D.Baldock*, P.Stirling, P.Taverner+, S.Fice, C.Winzer, A.Davies, I.Daldorph, J.Stirling. In front of a sizeable crowd at Station Ground, mainly thanks to Sam Fice’s first appearance since 1998, Baldock won the toss and elected to bat.

Daldorph & 3rd XI captain Meredith opened the innings for the hosts with a solid start; three trademark Daldorph boundaries helping with the score being pushed to 18-0 after the first four overs. The openers pushed the score to 60 before Meredith was castled for 13 by Mitchell.

Paul Thomas, back from injury and various international escapades with work joined Daldorph and immediately found a liking for the boundary which helped Thors to 87-1 at the 15 over drinks break.

Thors then pushed past three figures & Andy Daldorph brought up his first half century of the season before he was caught by Foster off Prismall for 50 from 51. Thomas quickly followed him despite his exciting cameo of 34 from 29 of which all but four came in boundaries.

Paul Stirling & skipper Baldock put a quick end to the risk of a collapse, quickly adding 19 from a Prismall over, including a no ball which went some distance into the wheat field. The runs continued to flow until Stirling was bowled by a Zac Johns delivery that kept low. Baldock followed in the next over, wafting at a wide one from Harrison which Rob Johns gladly took behind the stumps. 176-5 from 28 overs.

The sizeable support for Sam Fice was rewarded as he creamed his second ball through the covers for four. He and Phil Taverner patiently kept things ticking over until the 37th over when Fice was bowled by Zac Johns for 15. Taverner went in the same over for 2 from 33. Davies was also adjudged LBW for 1. 203-8.

Winzer’s 5 runs were loudly celebrating by the growing crowd including a sizeable contingent of his in-laws before he was bowled for 5. The final pairing of I.Daldorph and J.Stirling put on 11 before Stirling was trapped in front for 4, leaving Thors 220 all out.

Tea was enjoyed with the growing crowd who now included to be a who’s who of Thorverton years gone by. With the 3rd XI returning during the team break and 1st XI back from their warp-speed win at Bridestowe, the 2s took to the field in front of their largest crowd of the season.

Imogen Daldorph & James Meredith’s off spin took the new ball, but the visitor’s openers threw caution to the wind, taking 23 from the first two overs. Captain Brewster was the first to go for 10 from a seven ball stay, smartly stumped by P.Stirling off Meredith. He struck again in the eighth over, the long arms of Rob Johns caught behind on the cut. 43-2 and the game was moving at breakneck speed.

Opener Steve Forbes and the incoming Dave Weeks patiently went about the rebuild to see off the remainder of Meredith’s spell (2-51 from 9), but punished first change bowler Chris Winzer with a few boundaries. Davies was introduced but punished by Weeks taking 14 from his first over.

Jack Stirling was introduced and started loosely but managed to regain some control from one end, whilst Davies finally broke the partnership in the 26 over, Forbes adjudged LBW for 54 and Otters 154-3.

Fice was introduced for a trundle from the other end and a change of ends for Stirling paid dividends immediately, removing Southall-Brown LBW for 2. Otters 181-4 at the second drinks break.

Imogen Daldorph was reintroduced for a second spell from the pavilion end whilst Stirling struck again, Harrison chipping it around the corner to Taverner at square leg. In his next over, Stirling had a third with Weeks finally departing for a match changing 82 from 75, caught by a diving skipper at mid-wicket. 199-6 and a glimmer of hope for Thors.

A wild thirty-fifth over really got the still large crowd excited, Mitchell chipping the ball into the mid-wicket region, only to drop safe to the annoyance of a frustrated Baldock, who picked up the ball on the turn and threw down middle stump at the keepers end to run out Zac Johns for 3. Daldorph (1-40) then bowled Primsall first ball and suddenly 190-4 had become 203-8 with 17 still required.

Stirling (3-29) run out of overs and Thomas was introduced from the pavilion end, beating the bat a couple of times in his first over. Skipper Baldock had a trundle to no avail. Some good running from Foster and Mitchell brought the visitors within touching distances before two Mitchell fours finished the job for the Otters.

Scorecard

League Table

9 points taken but the 2s remain in the relegation zone, 14 points behind Clyst Hydon 1st XI in eighth. Thanks to Alan Birmingham for umpiring and Bob Rice for scoring. Next up is a length trip to picturesque Instow to take on sixth placed North Devon 2nd XI.

We are delighted to report we have a new outfield mower and shipping container thanks to kind grants from both the Exeter Chiefs Foundation and The Norman Family Charitable Trust.

The mower replaces the dated gang mowers previously used and the shipping container offers a much needed storage space for the club.

The Exeter Chiefs Foundation was formed in 2011 and since it’s inception has raised more than £3 million & helped more than 150 local causes. We have hosted a three way cricket festival in the last two years, featuring a Jack Yeandle XI, a Thorverton Village team and a Thorverton CC team. This has been well supported by the local community and in both years we have made a donation from the monies raised to the Exeter Chiefs Foundation. We are extremely thankful to have received a grant of £3,500 from the foundation towards the purchase of the new mower and the container.

The Norman Family Charitable Trust was set up in 1979 to help worthy causes in the South West and has distributed over £11 million to over 11,000 local causes in Devon. We are extremely grateful to have received £1,500 in funding towards the purchase of the mower & container.

We have also been kindly provided with CCTV cameras to add additional security to the club, courtesy of SJ & DM Diggle Electrical Ltd. Many thanks to them for their kind support.

Thank you to Alex Jopling for securing the grant from the Norman Family Trust, Keith Cudby for securing the grant from the Exeter Chiefs Foundation and sourcing the mower and container & for Ben Slaviero for liaising with SJ & DM Diggle Electrical Ltd.