Cricket: Trotman comes to Thornbury's rescue (From Gazette Series)

WEPL Premier Two 1st XI: Thornbury (212) beat Ilminster (133) by 79 runs

4:49pm Wednesday 12th May 2010 in Sport

Captain Richard Trotman scored a century to help Thornbury get their season up and running with victory over Ilminster.

Nick Stovold (11) and Kanishka Edirisuriya (24) put on 38 for the first wicket and Greg Stephens hit a quick-fire 29 but Thornbury found themselves in trouble at 75-4 when Trotman came to the crease.

The former Somerset man hit 107 off 99 balls, with 15 fours and three sixes, to lift his team to a competitive total.

Ilminster lost wickets throughout their innings with Ian Blakemore taking 3-27.

Saul Heard took 2-7, while Trotman, Joe Maiden, Juvaunie Gayle and John Wormwell claimed one wicket apiece.

Thornbury host Keynsham on Saturday.

Premier Two 2nd XI Ilminster (152) lost to Thornbury (154-3) by seven wickets

Thornbury travelled to Ilminster in the drizzle but managed to post another win.

Ilminster elected to bat first but Karl Hurkett (13-2-54-4) made early inroads by dismissing Sims and Ash.

James Tunnicliffe bowled Warry and Ilminster were struggling at 30-3.

Danny Vinning and Adam Cox then began to repair the damage but at a vital time Mark Stutter took a good catch off Greg Mallitte’s (13-1-49-3) bowling to dismiss Cox (18) and Vinning succumbed to the same bowler for a well made 62.

Hurkett and Louis Blackwell (6.1-0-20-2) then made light work of the tailenders.

Thornbury started badly when Chris Cashell was bowled by Cox but fellow opener Stutter and Colin Blick chipped away at the target.

Just as it appeared that the pair would see Thornbury home, Blick (52) was caught and bowled by Ash, who then clean bowled Stutter (46).

In the ever increasing gloom it was left to Jon Oakey (20 not out) and David Hammond (10 not out) to bring Thornbury victory.

A bigger test should be provided next week as Thornbury travel to Bristol.