Gloucestershire County League Division Two

Thornbury 223-6 beat Gloucester AIW 112 all out by 111 runs

THORNBURY seconds got back to winning ways with a fine display against Gloucester AIW, revolving around two excellent individual performances from Marcus Wormwell and Luke Franklin.

Wormwell won the toss and elected to bat on another splendid wicket at the The Ship Field and an outfield that would certainly give value for strokes from the crease.

Gloucester bowled with good discipline and were rewarded when Paul Holder was trapped lbw to one that kept low early on for two runs.

David Hammond joined Wormwell and together they built the innings of substance, Wormwell in particular playing some fine strokes with good running between the wickets.

The partnership reached a century when Hammond (36) became the second victim of an lbw decision, with Gloucester’s Ahmed Patel the bowler who did the damage this time.

James Tunnicliffe came in and played a typical innings of two good shots before hitting a full toss straight to Gloucester fielder Imtiyaz Baxa for 15.

But both Allens Mark and Alex, came in to help their opener who was plodding on with some good work at the crease.

Wormwell was first to go, however, when he eventually reached his century, his first senior hundred, much to the delight of all in attendance, before being bowled, without adding to his ton, byAhmedi Saleh.

Mark Allen eventually went when he was bowled by Ahmedi Saleh for 30.

Josh Riggs came in and was run out for a single while Alex Allen kept going to finish unbeaten on 20, with partner Luke Messer finishing the innings unbeaten on nought.

Thornbury ended on 223 for 6 which was probably par for the conditions.

However, it became an almost impossible target for Gloucester as their reply got under way.

Deadly bowler Franklin produced an outstanding opening spell of fast, straight bowling which blew away the top order with ease.

With one lbw and the rest clean bowled, Franklin bowled his allotted spell straight through and ended with figures of nine overs, 5 for 22 of which five overs were maidens.

So devastating was Franklin’s spell that Gloucester only managed 13 runs from the first six batsmen, with Luke Messer taking the other wicket to fall.

Alex Allen then made light of the lower order as he ran through 5.5 overs to take three wickets for 17 runs. Only Saleh (55 not out) provided resistance.

Gloucester ended on 112 which brought a 111-run victory for Thornbury.