THORNBURY’S hopes of starting life back in Premier One with victory were damaged by the weather on Saturday.

An interesting game was in prospect with Downend on 59-1 from 10.5 overs in pursuit of 297 before the heavens opened.

Thornbury made a good start after being put onto bat and by the time Nick Stovold (20) was bowled by Matthew Jackson he had already shared 51 with Ian Blakemore for the opening wicket.

The home side were reduced to 107-3 when they lost Blakemore and Kanishka Edirisuriya before overseas player Steven Ford and skipper Richard Trotman put on 120 for the fourth wicket.

Australian Ford eventually fell for 73 on his league debut for the club after hitting eight fours and five sixes and Trotman went for 63 with eight fours and three sixes.

Wayne Kylander (23) and Greg Stephens helped Thornbury reach 296 as they used up their allotted 50 overs.

Christopher Binnie and Joshua Lensenn put on 56 for Downend’s first wicket before the former was caught behind by Hamish Reeves off Stephens, and soon after heavy rain spelt the end of the game.

Thornbury are at home to Weston-super-Mare on Saturday (1pm).

In the Bristol & North Somerset Division, Frenchay were rescued by the weather against Chipping Sodbury.

Jamie Wakefield hit 72 not out to help Sodbury reach 154-7 and then took three wickets as Frenchay were reduced to 23-4 before the match was abandoned.

Winterbourne were on 88-2 off 22.2 overs in reply to Lansdown’s 201-9 before their match was brought to a halt.