THORNBURY have finally broken their West of England League Prem Two Glos/Wilts duck at the tenth time of asking – and given themselves a chance of avoiding relegation this season, writes Harry Watts.

A superb all-round display with the ball and bat saw Thornbury beat Burbage and Easton Royal away in Wiltshire.

And it was sweet revenge for Thornbury who lost at home to Burbage on the opening day of the season.

Thornbury won the toss and elected to field, aiming to restrict the home side to a score of under two hundred.

Burbage got off to a fantastic start, reaching 119-0 at drinks with openers David Cope and Jonathan Chandler manipulating the field well and not seeming too troubled by Thornbury’s seam quartet of Luke Davis, Harry Wormwell, Dan Davis and Josh Morris.

However, drinks changed everything and captain Trotman turned to pace of Danny Slade and Jack Gillett.

Slade ripped through the Burbage top-order, picking up three wickets in his first two overs including Cope (71) and Chandler (42), with Gillett keeping it tight at the other end.

Other than Burbage’s Daniel Wootton, who made 33 and number nine batsman, Oliver Lavis, who made ten, no other Burbage batsman got to double figures.

Wickets fell at regular intervals, with Slade and Trotman claiming four victims each.

Morris picked up a wicket and Gillett also picked up his debut first team league wicket.

So, from 124-0, Burbage collapsed to 203 all-out.

In reply,Thornbury got off to a fantastic start.

Dan Davis and Nick Willis-Stovold put on a strong partnership, which laid a strong foundation for Thornbury’s innings.

They made 134 before Davis was caught on 82.

At the other end, Willis-Stovold played the anchor role, allowing Davis to play the more attacking shots. He fell for 38 with Thornbury on 148.

Trotman came and went for ten off, leaving Luke Davis and Kyp Bridgen at the crease, with 46 runs needed.

They got there with ease. Davis was unbeaten on 26 and Bridgen was on 24, as Thornbury ended on 207-3 to win by seven wickets.

They certainly didn’t look like a side striving to get a first win of the season, but momentum is key and it is vital that they carry on into Saturday’s home game with Lechlade.