Bristol and District Association Eighth Division

Thornbury thirds 275-7 beat Carsons and Mangotsfield 140 ao by 135 runs

ON A glorious afternoon at Tockington Manor, skipper Hawkins won his first toss of the season and chose to bat on a firm looking surface.

Praneel & Simon Weeks both started in positive fashion with scoring around 7 an over. Weeks having got his eye in and a quick outfield fell in the 12th over, caught at deep cover for a blistering 44. Matt Scarborough joined Praneel who had started to showcase his superb batting strokes but unfortunately chipped one to point , 2 short of a well deserved half century. Both Ollie Nash & Jack Summerfield fell without scoring so from 82-0 of 12 overs, thorns were now 109-4 in 17 overs. Super Veterans Harry Hawkins & Matt Scarborough began to stabilise the innings and push the score up with sensible shot selection. With a huge slice of luck for Carsons, Scarbs drove the ball on to his foot and watched as the ball rolled back and was stumped for a useful 32. Dan Botha joined Hawkins with 15 overs left and immediately drove powerfully to the boundary, with Hawkins providing the supporting role he fell for 51 with pair adding 71 in 9 overs. Although Sam Williams fell without scoring it was up to Jimmy Halliwell to support Botha as he smashed a quickfire 73 not out as Thorns amassed 275-7.

Following tea Sam Williams removed Pitt with his fourth ball and the dangerous McGowan well caught by Scarborough. By his 6 over Williams had 4-28 with Carsons reeling at 63-4. Jimmy Halliwell bowled Patel and the Carsons batsmen had no answer to Praneel's slow spin as he picked up 2-19. Veteran Hawkins rolled back the years and ran out Woodland with a direct hit which was matched by Scarborough's stunning one handed catch off Alex Foulners bowling.

It was left to Greg Messer to nip out the last batsman as Carsons finished on 140 all out, with the victory margin at 135 runs.

A fantastic team effort with Dan Botha taking the headlines.