Thorverton CC – where developments are planned on and off the field<br>credit: @ppauk | no re-use without consent of copyright holder

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

NEW Thorverton captain Jake Choules is not shy about where he wants to take the club in is first season in charge.

Thorverton only missed out on promotion by two points from the Tolchards Devon League B Division under former captain Andy Pitt in 2019.

Choules, who led the side for most of the truncated 2020 season in Pitt’s absence, wants to go all the way this time.

“Most of the players at the club have played at A Division level and want to give it a go again,” said Choules.

“It is going to be a hard division this season as Ivybridge and Bideford who came down are good sides – and promoted Heathcoat 2ndXI are really strong.

In charge! Jake Choules“We got Heathcoat out cheaply the second time we played them last season and won, so we know we can compete with them.

“I hope we are there or thereabouts and challenging for promotion.”

Youngsters Luke Vukusic, George Daldorph and Bobby Heard were all fledged in the 1stXI last season during the cut-down campaign that occupied eight weeks in July, August and September.

Choules hasn’t lost anyone from the 2020 squad, but is looking around for some additional depth in one department.

“We could do with a batsman or two,” said Choules, who knows he has to cover make up runs Pitt would be expected to score.

“Andy is around during May, but after that he has a succession of weddings to go to… including his own.”

Daldorph showed promise last season and the 17 year old is likely to get an early chance to press his claim for a 1stXI spot.

Middle-order batter Ben Sapiecha could be away at university during the first half of the season, which leaves Choules looking for a few more runs.

Choules, 26, is a one-club man through and through who started out in Thorverton’s under-11s and has been there ever since.

Such was Choules’ commitment to the Thoverton cause he travelled home from his studies at university in Bristol to play in the first team.

Choules made his 2ndXI debut back in 2007 and by 2011 was a first-team regular. He has had some good days with the ball, none better than a six-for-20 haul against Abbotskerswell back in 2015.

By the time the new season gets under way Thorverton’s new net-complex will be open.

The current practice area was laid around 15 years ago and is starting to show it’s age.

“Notts Sports are booked to get the nets re-done and we expect to be using them in the Spring for outdoor training,” said Choules.

The new £20,000 net area has largely been paid for by a landfill tax credit grant from waste disposal giants Viridor, backed up by the club’s own fund-raising.

Another ground improvement on the way is an electronic scoreboard to compliment the existing scorebox. And longer term plans are in the pipeline to redevelop the clubhouse.

Blueprints for the new two-lane net at Thorverton