Thornbury 3rds (216-3) beat Briska (190-9)by 26 runs

THORNBURY thirds won the toss and chose to bat first on another excellent looking pitch at Tockington Manor.

Tight bowling brought about the early departure of stand-in skipper Scarbrough, run out for two attempting to relieve the pressure by rotating the strike.

After 25 overs of attrition, the next wicket arrived when, Praneel Choughie (40), who shared a century stand with Pete Wheeler, was out.

Wheeler continued and his impressive unbeaten 124 proved to be the match defining performance.

He plundered 28 from opening bowler Sibi’s final over, a fine way to reach his maiden Thornbury century, and secure the fifth batting point.

The first thirty overs of Briska’s reply mirrored Thornbury’s sedate earlier innings pace.

However, Briska had lost four more wickets as the hosts created many chances.

Opening bowler Dan Botha might have had a five-for but for dropped catches.

Those blemishes aside, Thornbury’s fielding was again of standard well above their Bristol and District Division Nine level, a fact acknowledged by several Briska players after the match, and exemplified by two fantastic run outs.

The first run out came from Kapil’s flat throw from the longest boundary, into the wind, and the second by a pick-up and direct hit from a fielder.

Tom Moore was exemplary behind the stumps, and Jason Riggs took three catches.

Briska’s number six batsman, Tom Mathew, briefly gave them hope of an unlikely victory with an explosive eighty, but when Alex Riggs clean bowled him in his second spell, the result was no longer in doubt, and Thornbury set about gaining the final two bowling points.

A final over maiden denied the thirds of a tenth wicket, but the 29 match points should put them joint top of the league.

Rhys Price impressed again with 8-1-27-1, and Alex Riggs finished with 8-0-41-2.