A NEAR-PERFECT performance from Thornbury gave them their first victory after a rain-hit start to the season.

Thornbury went into the field after losing the toss and they made early inroads with opening bowlers Harry Cameron and Harry Blackwell taking early wickets.

A slight fightback was offered from opening batsman Nick Auger, but when he played one shot too many against Blackwell, a wonderful catch from Cameron sent him back to the changing room for a quick-fire 37.

Juvaunie Gayle dismissed Scott Wells-Burr with a fantastic delivery, caught by wicketkeeper Stephen Caple.

The Chard middle order continued to fight, but with each of them only scoring just over ten runs each, it was not enough.

Richard Trotman, Cameron and John Wormwell all picked up further wickets.

Cameron, 17, became the youngest player for Thornbury to pick up five wickets in a WEPL game.

Skipper Trotman made a positive move and elevated himself to open the batting with regular opener Nick Stovold.

It was an excellent start by the openers who were finding the boundary with ease, taking advantage of some poor deliveries.

The introduction of spin made no difference to the run rate and the ball continued to find the boundary.

In a matter of overs Thornbury found themselves seven short of victory and the scores were brought level with a flashing six over cover from Trotman, which brought up his half-century in the process.

Stovold hit the winning runs in the 17th over, finishing 33 not out and rounding off one of Thornbury’s most convincing performances of recent times. Thornbury travel to Ashcott and Shapwick this Saturday for their first away league game of the season.