Thornbury face a fight to keep Premier One status (From Gazette Series)

Thornbury face a fight to keep Premier One status

12:00pm Friday 23rd July 2004 in Sport

West of England Premier League Thornbury v Taunton St Andrews

Taunton St Andrews visited the Ship Ground on Saturday, with Thornbury needing a positive result as the fixtures begin to run out.

On a good wicket with some moisture after the wet midweek weather, the toss was an important one that Taunton skipper Kevin Parsons won and put Thornbury into bat. The innings got off to a shocking start when Paul Holder was run out for 1 and then a rain break meant that the overs were reduced to 47 per side.

The in-form Neil Stovold and Thornbury captain Neil Pritchard began to rebuilt the innings after the break and steadily repaired the early damage. The pair added 84 when Pritchard was bowled by Somerset player Keith Parsons and it triggered a rapid decline in Thornbury's progress. Parson's accounted for Budd (12) and then the somewhat innocuous off spin of Paul Short dismissed the impressive Stovold for 63 (his fourth half century in as many innings) and then had David Hammond caught behind for 10.

At the other end Parsons made quick work of dismissing Armstrong (5) and on his first team debut, 15 year old Tom Clarke for 3.

Short bowled John White for a characteristically aggressive 23 and when Parsons claimed his fifth wicket by having Fidoe caught for 4 Thornbury were woefully short of a competitive score at 150-9.

There then followed two sumptuous cameo innings from John Wormwell and Chalky White. In a fine mixture of risk taking and good running between the wickets the pair took the total to something that the subsequent bowlers could try to defend. Wormwell played with the authority that the middle order certainly lacked but it was Chalky who brought the crown to their feet.

Taunton's opening bowler Wadham was brought back into the attack but with an almost Viv Richards like disdain Chalky dispatched him straight onto the roof of Berkeley Vale and then followed with an even better shot straight down the ground for 4. The partnership remained undefeated at the end of the allotted 47 overs, adding 42 runs and posting 192-9. Wormwell returned 23* and Chalky 18*, a personal best by some margin with Keith Parsons (14-0-53-5) the pick of the bowling.

With the Thornbury side buoyed by the Wormwell/White partnership they took the field knowing that quick wickets were vital if they were to contest the game. However early wickets did not materialise and although Adam Fidoe went past the outside edge on numerous occasions the Taunton openers rode their luck and put together a solid start.

With the total on 57, Stovold took the first wicket by trapping Sanderson LBW for 21 and then the introduction of John White brought some hope to the Thornbury side. White bowled both Rexworthy (6) and the dangerous Kevin Parsons (9) and reduced Taunton to 88-3 and suddenly the game hung in the balance. However some pretty mediocre bowling followed and remaining opener James Trundley along with Keith Parsons helped themselves to the inevitable bad balls.

After surviving a very close LBW shout from White, Parsons in particular tucked into the Thornbury bowling with an appetite that the bowlers or fielders were unable to fill. The pair added 59 in quick time to virtually take the game away from Thornbury and even though Trundley was stumped off C White for 74, Parsons accelerated again and the match was quickly over, Taunton reaching the 193 target off just 36.5 overs. Parsons wrapped up his match winning performance with 65 not out scored off just 38 balls including two sixes and ten fours.

Thornbury left the field knowing that their overall performance was well under par and a quick reversal in attitude and application is required if they are to sty in the leagues top flight.

With that result, this Saturday's fixture against Downend at the Ship Ground takes on monumental importance. Downend are the only side below Thornbury and anything but a win can virtually condemn Thornbury to playing next season in Premier Two.

Stumps at 12.30pm, all support desperately needed and a karaoke night follows, hopefully with a winning atmosphere in the clubhouse.