Cricket Thomas smashes 143 as Golden Hill chase down big Downend target
CAPTAIN Harry Thomas crashed a tremendous unbeaten 143, off only 94 balls, as Golden Hill chased down an imposing target of 297 to complete a four-wicket home win over Downend in WEPL Premier Two Bristol & Somerset.
The former Taunton Deane batter cracked 16 fours and six sixes, the last of which clinched the spoils with almost four overs to spare. It gave Golden Hill their first victory since being promoted against a side determined to return immediately to Premier One after relegation last year.
The day began well enough for Downend who piled up 296-7 after winning the toss. Pat Grieshaber and Gloucestershire’s Ian Cockbain dominated the innings with a second-wicket stand of 145.
Grieshaber eventually perished for 134 off 135 (18 fours), while Cockbain’s 77 off 86 included 10 fours and a six. Toheed Hamid was the pick of the home attack with a return of 2-39 from nine overs.
Thomas took charge of Golden Hill’s reply, with Cyrus Shafi (48) and Simon Hygate (35) providing important support to help seal a memorable triumph.
Next up for Golden Hill on Saturday is a home derby against Bishopston who succumbed by six wickets at home to Bristol.
Dan Jones (3-21) helped restrict Bish to a below-par challenge of 163 before opener Miles Kantolinna (76 not out) saw the visitors to their second successive win.
Also two from two at this early stage are Weston-super-Mare who
eased past Winterbourne by seven wickets.
Sam Bracey’s breezy 50 off 34 was the high spot of the visitors’ challenge of 148 after winning the toss, with Shabel Ahmed claiming 3-33 from ten overs.
Former Somerset favourite Pete Trego’s unbeaten 58 off 50 (seven fours, two sixes) then saw Weston to the spoils.
» Max Tryfonos’ fine return of 4-11 from 9.4 overs helped pave the way for Bedminster to seal a tense twowicket victory in Premier One away to Bridgwater.
The home side, who lost the toss, were bowled out for 118, with Rich Sillars’ burst of 2-12 including the valuable wicket of Somerset’s Will Smeed.
Batting was a battle, too, for Bedminster
with Matty Brewer’s patient 36 off 66 proving crucial.
Newly-promoted Thornbury slipped from 73-1 to 146 all out at Taunton Deane who eased in by six wickets, with Will Smale unbeaten on 52.
Clevedon, the defending champions, suffered a second successive setback with a 104-run home reverse against Chippenham.
Gloucestershire duo Ollie Price (103) and Luke Charlesworth (53 not out) lifted the Wiltshire side to 278-5 ahead of Clevedon coming up short, despite a characteristically explosive 50 from 34 by Iraq Thomas (eight fours, two sixes).
Bath were nine-wicket winners at Taunton St Andrews and Potterne trumped Lansdown by 86 runs.