THORNBURY suffered a two-wicket home defeat in the big play-off clash on the final day of the season with Chippenham who sealed the WEPL Premier Two Glos/Wilts title and promotion to the top flight, writes Steve Hill.

An absorbing battle of wills between these two rivals went right down to the wire with Chippenham closing out a nail-biting victory.

The visitors got off a strong start after losing the toss in a clash reduced to 41 overs per side because of lunchtime rain, reducing Thornbury to 33-5.

The home side dragged themselves into the game thanks to Danny Slade’s 39 and 24 from Sam Summerfield but were still under par at 132.

Thornbury needed a good start with the ball and got it from skipper Luke Davis and brother Dan who took two wickets apiece to make the score 35-4.

Chippenham recovered so well that the match seemed all but over at 81-4 but back came Thornbury again, Dan Lezar enticing three outside edges which were all pouched by wicketkeeper Summerfield and at 110-8 the momentum appeared to have shifted once again.

But the Wiltshire side chipped away at their target and finally got over the line with two wides as Thornbury filled the runners-up slot for the second successive season.