WEPL Robbie stars for Thornbury with superb 175

ROBBIE O’Donnell made a memorable debut for Thornbury, hammering a tremendous unbeaten 175 off only 138 balls, to pave the way for a 190-run triumph away to Corse & Staunton in Premier Two Glos & Wilts.

The 28-year-old New Zealand A player cracked 15 fours and 12 sixes to dominate his side’s challenge of 354-9 after losing the toss. O’Donnell, who reached three figures in the 44th over, swiped his last 16 balls for 53 runs.

Thornbury, bidding to bounce back to the Premier Division after last summer’s relegation, maintained that momentum with the ball as left-arm spinner Harry Donelan, a close-season signing from St Fagans, marked his league debut with an excellent return of 4-10 from 10 overs.

Clevedon made a perfect start to life in Premier Two Bristol & Somerset following relegation last year with a hard-earned 27-run win away to Bridgwater 2nds.

Sean Dickson, who spent the 2010 season with Clevedon before going on to forge a professional career with Kent, Durham and now Somerset, top-scored with 65 and fellow opener Louie Woodlands hit 53, while contributions throughout the order helped build a challenging total of 298 all out.

Two wickets apiece for skipper

Cam Harding and Mark Bibbing, along with a fine spell from Tyler Leaman (1-30 from eight), helped restrict Bridgwater to 271-6.

Harry Thomas powered Golden Hill to a notable seven-wicket home success against Downend with an unbeaten 109 from only 61 balls (14 fours, five sixes).

Daz Ahmed (3-45) helped restrict Downend to 243, and it proved to be well within range as Thomas’ knock helped bank the points with 15 overs to spare.

Bishopston came up 26 runs short at Ilminster, who were bowled out for just 136. Former Claverham and Lansdown all-rounder Dom Hooper marked his league debut with a return of 5-28. Bish, in reply, were in good shape at 96-4 before the innings fell away, as Angus McKenzie and Gary Booth both made 34.

Jake Carstens had day to remember for Keynsham, topscoring on 102 and following up with 5-20 from ten overs in a 132run victory at Weston-super-Mare.

The South African shared an opening stand of 180 with captain Tom Bancroft (93) to help propel their side to a total of 237-6. A day to remember continued with a terrific spell of bowling as Weston folded to 105 all out, Jonty Flynn supporting with 3-26.

Chipping Sodbury lost by 71 runs at Dumbleton on their return to the Gloucestershire division.