Bristol and District League
Division Six
Thornbury Thirds 200-5 lost to Cleeve Seconds 201-6 by four wickets
THORNBURY Thirds fell to defeat by four wickets against a much more experienced Cleeve Seconds.
Put into bat at Oldbury, Ollie Humphries opened with Tom Wheeler (10), who fell in the fourth over.
Young Tom Wilson walked to the crease on debut and the pair batted with maturity beyond their years, taking the total to 79 until both fell in quick succession for individual scores of 34 apiece.
Stuart McWhinnie (13) smashed a six in his short and sweet cameo before captain Pete Wheeler joined young Max Trotman at the crease with 21 overs remaining and 94 on the board.
Wheeler was soon into his stride and he was well supported by Trotman, firstly protecting their wickets and enabling them to push on in the last five.
Wheeler finished on 79 not out and Trotman was undefeated on 24 as Thornbury posted a target of 200-5.
With bowling options throughout the team, Wheeler chose Josh Lintern and the pace of McWhinnie to share the new ball.
However, the lines and usual bowling disciplines of the pair were missing in the opening overs as Cleeve raced to 42 from six overs, with McWhinnie leaking 30 from his three overs.
With Luke Lezar and Tom Price replacing the openers, a degree on stability was recovered but no wicket.
Harrison Wheeler picked up the first wicket removing opener Lee Carpenter for 39.
Lintern back returned to take the second wicket ofJohn Folwer (40) as Cleeve chased the Thorns’ target.
With wickets in hand, the Cleeve batsmen began to force the pace, creating chances for the bowlers.
Lintern took his second scalp and McWhinnie snared two as overs began to run out. But Cleeve managed to squeeze home in the penultimate over to win by four wickets.