FROCESTER struggled to a much-needed two-wicket wicket victory over Thornbury at Pounds Close on Saturday, in a game they should have won with some ease, writes Eric Woodmason.

Thornbury batted first on a green, bouncy surface and were reduced to 28-3 with Jack Worgan, Andy Solomons and Chris Liddle each picking up a wicket. Tom Drake and Liddle then bowled superb spells that deserved to dismiss Thornbury for less than a hundred.

However, five relatively straightforward catches were spilt, three off the luckless Drake and two off Liddle and Thornbury were allowed to escape. Alex Russell eventually dismissed Nick Stovold for 51 and, with Solomons finishing with 3-38, Thornbury finished on 184-9 from 50 overs. Chris Liddle took 2-17 from nine overs, bowling one of the quickest spells seen at Pounds Close for some years.

When Frocester batted, Callum Gegg and Chris Whincup opened with an attacking partnership of 92 in 17 overs and, again, Frocester appeared in a position for a comfortable victory. However, both fell with the total at 92 and Will Naish and Andy Solomons fell shortly after and for the remainder of the innings, every run was a struggle and the result was in doubt, particularly with the total at 158-7.

However, an invaluable 23 run partnership between Jack Worgan, in an impressive 1st X1 debut, and Ashley Davis, took Frocester to the brink of victory. But, Worgan was bowled for 16 and it was left to Davis (14 not out) and Alex Russell (2 not out) to secure the victory points. Frocester finished on 185-8 in the 39th over, securing 19 points, and now visit bottom of the table, Trowbridge, on Saturday.