THORNBURY picked up a much-needed win at bottom side Minehead to keep their promotion hopes alive in West of England Premier League Premier Two.

The visitors batted first and scored 261-6, Nick Willis-Stovold top-scoring with 50, and Minehead were all out for 235.

Thorbury seconds also kept in the Premier Two 2nd XI promotion hunt by beating Knowle at home by 107 runs.

Their top five batsmen were all back in the changing rooms for 65 runs on the board but a massive fight back from stand-in captain David Hammond and youngster Sam Summerfield gave the innings a foundation that was needed.

Summerfield was finally trapped lbw on 62 and it was left to Harry Wormwell to join Hammond and support him to his 100, which came off 71 balls, before he was stumped going for a massive six.

With the tail giving a few runs Thornbury ended up with 261-9.

After tea it wasn’t long before James Tunnicliffe had his first wicket, hitting Jake Edmonds' (0) middle stump.

Marcus Wormwell took six wickets and had the ball turning a mile as Knowle were bowled out for 154.

Thornbury thirds entertained Stothert and Pitt seconds at Tockington Manor in the Bristol and District League Seventh Division.

With the visitors batting first it wasn’t long before wickets started to fall.

Youngster Alex Allen picked up 4-43 runs and the highlight of the game was Mark Allen catching opposition captain Paul Kendal out off his son's bowling.

Luke Messer claimed 3-18 as the Thornbury youth made it hard going for the batsmen and Stothert and Pitt ended up with 169 all out.

Thornbury batted well with the youth again getting the runs to reach 170-2 off 28 overs, Stuart McWhinnie scoring 56 not out with Ed Webb hitting 72.

Skipper Jon Oakey brought the team over the winning line with 21 not out to give them a commanding lead at the top of the league.

Thornbury retained the Rockhampton Sixes title, beating the hosts and Old Down in the three-team tournament.