Gloucestershire County League Division Two

Thornbury seconds v Oldlands

THORNBURY seconds faced Oldlands at The Ship Field in another crucial fixture with a mid table team.

Winning the toss skipper Greg Mallitte had no hesitation in chosing to bat on a flat wicket in sultry conditions Another new opening pair of Walter Hammond and Josh Riggs started in positive fashion picking up boundaries at will and all the signs of a large total looked on the horizon.

Left armer Brookes got one to go across Hammond's defensive resulting in a tickle to the wicket keeper.

Ollie Humphris joined Riggs but holed out a deep backward square for 10. Riggs looking in superb form then chipped one back to the bowler for an excellent 46, but a score he should of doubled such was his dominance..

Then followed a succession of wickets with batsmen getting in and getting out. Andy Weeks played very well again for his 43, Jordan Hicks hit 21 of 17 deliveries, Richard (Harry) Hawkins made 28 and Alex Allen 21.

All good contributions with the tail chipping in, with important runs as it turned out to be. Thorns finishing on a respectable if slightly disappointing 241 all out in the last over. This included 33 wides bowled by the opposition.

Jordan Hicks & Paul Wookey opened the bowling for Thorns with Hicks bowling with great control and unlucky not to find the edge at times.

Then in space of few deliveries Thornbury lost the services of Bowler Hicks with a bad back and keeper Ollie Humphris with a groin strain. Tom Price came on for Humphris and Colin Blick took the gloves. In the distraction Luke Messer couldn't find his rhythm and opener Brad Thomas attacked Wookey at the other end.

The pair reached a 100 at just behind the rate required but all wickets in hand.

Then Mallitte made a double change, bringing on himself and Alex Allen. As the runs began to dry up, chances were created as Mallitte picked up opener Grove for a patient 30 off 71 balls.

3 wickets then fell over the next 6 overs as Mallitte struck again and Allen picking up the dangerous Thomas for 58.

With Hicks injured all rounder Hawkins entered the attack and picked up the wicket of Walton leaving Oldlands needing 8 an over with 15 overs left.

Marley Thomas and Dave Walton then went on the offensive as Wookey replaced Allen and both himself and Hawkins struggled to maintain control as the game moved to it's conclusion.

With bowling options limited Andy Weeks took the vital wicket of Thomas for 51 off 38 balls and with Colin Blick showing sharp skills behind the stumps aided in the run outs of Paterson and Dykes. With 12 required off the last over with the last pair at the crease and a 4 off Luke Messers 1st ball a nervous end ensued, but Luke Messer found a straight one to see Thornbury over the line by 8 runs.

An important win made more difficult through 46 extra's including 32 wides. Special praise must go to skipper Mallite for his miserly spell of 9 overs 2-14.