THORNBURY suffered defeat at home to Keynsham after a miracle job from the ground staff allowed them to get their season underway.

After Thornbury won the toss and decided to bowl, Juvaunie Gayle was erratic despite removing Gary Worgan.

Harry Cameron, John Wormwell (0-32) and off spinner Greg Mallitte (1-30), managed to drag Thornbury back from a poor start into a very promising position, with their opponents on 59-3.

However, this brought the introduction of Richard Pannell (119) and he hit a crucial century, 119 in total, saving the visitors from what could have been a low first innings total.

With the second highest score being wides, Thornbury will need to bowl with more discipline for the rest of an important season.

The pick of the bowlers was Cameron, who took 1-23 from ten overs.

Nick Stovold and Luke Davis got Thornbury’s innings off to a solid start with both players making the most of any short deliveries.

Keynsham managed to stop the flow of runs with the introduction of spin, and this showed with the wickets of both openers falling in quick succession.

The older of the Davis brothers, Dan, along with skipper Richard Trotman began to rebuild and both reached the 20s before being dismissed by man of the match Pannell, who took 4-40 from ten overs.

Middle order batsmen Gayle, Greg Stephens and wicketkeeper Stephen Caple were all out for single figures, bringing the arrival of Wormwell to the crease.

Along with the help of Alex Reid, the pair put up some brief resistance before the latter was dismissed for 13 off the bowling of left armer Paul Robbins.

Wormwell continued to take the attack to the bowlers brilliantly, and hit four straight sixes in his 36 not out.

However, Thornbury lost their final two wickets quickly to go down by 51 runs.

This Saturday Thornbury are at the Ship Field once again, taking on newly promoted Chard.