Gloucestershire County League Division Two

Thornbury seconds 226-7 beat Hatherley and Reddings seconds 173 ao by 53 runs

WITH Thornbury seconds' Greg Mallitte away on a family holiday, Jon Oakey took the helm against Hatherley and Reddings seconds at home on Saturday.

After winning the toss the home side elected to bat on a stunning afternoon. Praneel and Josh Riggs made a solid start taking the score to 42 before Riggs fell for 21. Praneel followed a short time later for 19.

James Tunnicliffe went for 10 which saw Ed Webb and Josh Slade come to together.

The pair put on seventy before Webb was run out by his partner. Andy Weeks went without scoring, which saw Jon Oakey join Slade with the score on 164 with 11 overs to go.

With a score of 250-plus now looking out of the question, Slade and Oakey did there best to push the score along.

Shortly before the close Slade was dismissed for a well made 67, and with Oakey going for 29 off the last ball, the home side had amassed 226, which it was felt was thirty runs short.

In reply, Hatherley and Reddings never really got going, with the bowlers making regular inroads.

The wickets were shared around with Tunnicliffe taking three for 29.

The away side were bowled out for 173, with extras and, in particular, wides making the highest score in the innings.

This sees the undefeated Thornbury second team strengthen their position at the top of the league, but knowing there is room for improvement across the board.