GREG Welsher took five wickets and then hit a century to give Old Down victory at Bitton The visitors struggled with the bat after Old Down had put them in and at one stage they were reduced to 61-6 thanks to telling bowling from Welsher and Ian Maunder.

However, a battling 70 from Brown recovered composure for Bitton before Christian Diaper (36) and Spiller (37) helped their side to a respectable 212 all out.

Welsher’s 5-55 and Maunder’s 4-37 were significant contributions.

A stunning Jim Donaldson catch to dismiss Dickson epitomised Old Down’s spirited performance.

Old Down stuttered to 34-3 before,first Dave Dinely (22) , then Greg Welsher (104*) and Mike Rowan (56*) took hold of the game in positive fashion.

Man of the Match Welsher’s ton included 13 fours and a six, while Rowan delighted with three sixes and a four as Old Down coasted home with four overs to spare.

First Division 2nd XI Old Down (194-6) beat Thornbury A (190) by four wickets The howling winds that buffeted Old Down’s hilltop ground did not deter them from taking the field.

Thornbury started steadily with Slade (32) and Wormwell (45) working well together, aided by Old Down’s patchy fielding and inconsistent bowling.

Once they had gone Thornbury wickets were whittled away.

They were on 115-8, and stuttering badly before Mohammed’s astonishing 47 – with six sixes and one four – helped them to respectability at 190 all out.

The pick of Old Down’s bowling was seamer Russel Knight’s 4-38 and off-spinner Jordan Rouse’s 4-46.

Rouse’s cultured innings for Old Down was full of class and impressive strokeplay.

His unselfish running, however, denied him a ton as he was run out on 95, though his knock earned him plenty of plaudits.

He was well supported by Andy Kitchen (33) and Ben Fox (28) before Jason Riggs (11*) and Knight (6*) saw their side home.

Of the seven bowlers used by Thornbury only Hall (3-19) made a real impact as Old Down took the final honours.