THORNBURY returned to the top of the table after a nail-biting victory over struggling Trowbridge.

Captain Richard Trotman decided to bowl first and opening bowlers Karl Hurkett and Juvaunie Gayle bowled a touch short, although Gayle got one to lift sharply for Hart to fend to Trotman at slip.

Trotman then had Morgan caught off his very first ball.

Imtiaz Ahmad and Peter Hickerton put on a good partnership of 52 but again Trotman made the breakthrough, trapping Hickerton lbw for 21.

Morris and Ahmad batted solidly to take the total to 126 when Andrew White was introduced into the attack.

The left-arm spinner once again proved his worth by removing Morris via a good catch from Nick Stovold and then quickly dismissing Paul Vooght and Mike Reynolds.

White then took the prize wicket of Ahmad (78) followed by Ian Pichen, and in the final over of the Trowbridge innings he dismissed Andy Rutland.

White finished with figures of 11-1-38-6 which takes his league victims to 18 in just five games.

After the break Thornbury needed a good start but lost Trotman, Caple and Gayle early to leave them on 33-3.

Chris Dent and Nick Stovold repaired the damage and got the innings to generate some momentum as Dent, in particular, put any loose deliveries away.

The partnership had reached 106 when Stovold (38) was stumped off Rutland and in his next over he induced Dent (79) into giving a catch and Thornbury were suddenly under pressure at 157-5.

This quickly went to 169-7 as both Ian and Curtis Blakemore were dismissed.

A rain break then interrupted the tense proceedings but the players took the field again in very gloomy conditions before Hammond was caught behind to leave Thornbury at 172-8.

However, in virtually pitch black light, Adam Fidoe clipped a lovely shot off his legs for four to seal a dramatic win for Thornbury.

The new league leaders visit Warminster on Saturday.