BackDevon Tour Report 2025 4 of 7
4. Fixture: Thorverton vs Ashford Tour XI
Fixture: Thorverton vs Ashford Tour XI
Date: Sunday 25th May 2025
Venue: Thorverton CC
Result: Ashford Tour XI lost by 28 runs
Early in the afternoon of the 25th May, the first group of tourists arrived in Devon ready to play. It was a fine but gusty afternoon and there was much discussion about whether we should bat or bowl first, but the captain called tails and made the discussion moot. We were in the field.
The opening bowlers were attacked from the off and around 25 was plundered from the first couple of overs. Then the chance came, an edge, Chris Evans leapt at full stretch and plucked the ball from the sky. A breakthrough. Wickets then fell at regular intervals as our hosts gave their younger players opportunities and the change bowling pair of Sean Cully and Elliott Axten helped themselves to 5 wickets between them, all bowled. Ben Simper took wickets in both of his spells. We still hadn't removed the other opener who was now smoothly going through the gears heading towards a chanceless century. A brief cameo from their overseas ensured that we would need to chase 214 to start the tour with a win.
The chase started well with a solid opening partnership of 92 between Chris Evans and Robert Nicholls. Once Robert fell, wickets were going regularly at the other end. The captain was pacing nervously, not at the match situation, but he was one of few who knew that Chris was on 99 centuries in his playing career. Was this going to be the day? After batting for most of the innings Chris fell for 84. (Don't worry readers, it only took 4 more days for the landmark to be reached.) A swashbuckling innings from Edward Turner and some runs from Ben Simper kept us in the hunt, but at the end we were 28 short. As ever it was a good game in lovely surroundings and many of the touring party stayed for a drink to enjoy some local beers and ciders in the clubhouse bar.
I would like to thank Thorverton CC as ever for their hospitality, Ian Doggett for notching the entire game and the umpire provided by our hosts who officiated the entire game.
Date: Sunday 25th May 2025
Venue: Thorverton CC
Result: Ashford Tour XI lost by 28 runs
Early in the afternoon of the 25th May, the first group of tourists arrived in Devon ready to play. It was a fine but gusty afternoon and there was much discussion about whether we should bat or bowl first, but the captain called tails and made the discussion moot. We were in the field.
The opening bowlers were attacked from the off and around 25 was plundered from the first couple of overs. Then the chance came, an edge, Chris Evans leapt at full stretch and plucked the ball from the sky. A breakthrough. Wickets then fell at regular intervals as our hosts gave their younger players opportunities and the change bowling pair of Sean Cully and Elliott Axten helped themselves to 5 wickets between them, all bowled. Ben Simper took wickets in both of his spells. We still hadn't removed the other opener who was now smoothly going through the gears heading towards a chanceless century. A brief cameo from their overseas ensured that we would need to chase 214 to start the tour with a win.
The chase started well with a solid opening partnership of 92 between Chris Evans and Robert Nicholls. Once Robert fell, wickets were going regularly at the other end. The captain was pacing nervously, not at the match situation, but he was one of few who knew that Chris was on 99 centuries in his playing career. Was this going to be the day? After batting for most of the innings Chris fell for 84. (Don't worry readers, it only took 4 more days for the landmark to be reached.) A swashbuckling innings from Edward Turner and some runs from Ben Simper kept us in the hunt, but at the end we were 28 short. As ever it was a good game in lovely surroundings and many of the touring party stayed for a drink to enjoy some local beers and ciders in the clubhouse bar.
I would like to thank Thorverton CC as ever for their hospitality, Ian Doggett for notching the entire game and the umpire provided by our hosts who officiated the entire game.