THORVERTON were given a first-day reality check in the B Division when they lost by two wickets to visiting Ottery St Mary.

Thors were unbeaten in name games after halfway last season and fancied their chances of a promotion push this term.

Divisional new boys Ottery had Thorverton labouring at 56 for four, but a dogged 87 not out from vice-captain Dave Baldock got them up to a defendable 196 for seven.

Ottery were made to work for their win, but skipper Rob Crabb’s mature knock of 39 not out shepherded the bottom half of the order over the line.

Graham White, the Thorverton skipper, said there was little he could grumble about in a close game.

“We lost George Greed in the first over, which didn’t help, then went from 50 for one to 60 for four,” said White.

“Dave Baldock batted brilliantly – making good use of a very good deck to bat on – and 196 wasn’t a bad total from 60 for four.

“Ottery got a good start – they were 50 for one after 10 overs – but we chipped away at them.

“After we got Dan Flower out I though we had a chance, but their captain batted very well  to get them over the line.”

Paul Fielder (27) and Andy Pitt (25) were the supporting acts to Baldock when Thorverton batted.

Ottery’s run chase was led by Flower with 79 and taken on by Crabb after Ottery ran into trouble against Jake Crouch (3-39), Pitt (2-31) and Jake Choules (2-34).

“Thorverton got a par score for the strip so we knew it would be hard batting second,” said Crabb.

“To go on and beat a team many think are favourites to go up was a great start for us in a new division.

“Dan Flower batted well  to give us a chance, then we lost a few and myself and the tail got us there in the end.”

Thorverton are away to Ivybridge this Saturday.