THORNBURY narrowly lost a thrilling match for the second week in a row.

Tailender Joe Maiden almost led his side to an unlikely victory against Taunton St Andrews, but he was bowled out on the final ball as they went down by one run, just one week after their two-run defeat against Bridgwater.

Chasing a difficult target of 251 to win, Thornbury got off to a bad start when opening batsman Harry Blackwell fell for a duck.

When Nick Stovold (13) and Richard Trotman were dismissed, Thornbury were struggling at 63-3, but all-rounder Juvaunie Gayle pulled them back in the game.

He shared 50 with Wayne Kylander, who smashed 42 off 45 balls, but Stephen Caple (7) and Steven Ford (8) failed to hang around with him for long as the visitors were reduced to 136-6.

Sam Bracey then struck 28 off 24 balls in a 63-run partnership with Gayle, who hit nine fours in his innings of 75 off 79 balls, before both youngsters were bowled by former Somerset all-rounder and Unicorns captain Keith Parsons (3-58).

Curtis Blakemore hit 15 off 12 balls to keep Thornbury in the game before he became Parsons’ third victim with 15 still required to win.

No10 Maiden came close to securing a dramatic victory as he struck two fours and one six, but he was bowled by Ben Pitkin for 15 at the death.

Taunton were indebted to a second wicket partnership of 133 between Martin Jenkins (63) and Kevin Parsons (75) in their innings.

Gayle also impressed with the ball, taking 3-28 from ten overs, with Kylander (2-68) and Maiden (1-50) also picking up wickets.

l Wicket-keeper Harry Wormwell made his debut for Thornbury 2nds on Saturday at the age of 12.

The youngster made two catches in Taunton St Andrews’ innings of 236-5.

Harry’s father, John, and Andrew White took two wickets apiece for Thornbury.

However, they were then bowled out for 114. James Tunnicliffe top-scored with 43 and Harry Wormwell was the last man out for three.