WEPL Thomas takes seven as Congresbury see off Chew Magna
IRAQ Thomas is well known for his big hitting feats with the bat, and now the Trinidadian has come up trumps with the ball for Congresbury after taking 7-9 to complete a 75-run home triumph over Chew Magna in the WEPL’s Bristol & North Somerset division.
Thomas, who two years ago crashed a world record T20 century off only 21 balls in Tobago, ran through the Chew line-up to finish with the third best bowling figures this season throughout the entire league.
The all-rounder, who is in his second season with the village outfit, hit the stumps five times, including bowling top scorer Dave Lawrence for 62, and also had two lbws as Chew folded from 66-2 to 133 all out.
Charlie Thompson (3-27 from ten overs) was earlier the pick of the Chew attack as Congresbury fought their way from 146-7 to 208 all out.
This result means Chew are now 21 points adrift at the bottom of the table. Congresbury, following last season’s promotion, are 20 points clear of second-last Claverham, who are in danger of a second successive relegation following a 134run home humbling away to leaders Winterbourne.
Sam Bracey continued his redhot run of form with a third league century of the summer, eventually being dismissed for 154 off only 113 balls (12 fours, six sixes).
He put on 191 for the second wicket with opener Chris Kislingbury (88) to help Winterbourne power their way to 352-6.
Richard Trotman (3-31) then helped peg Claverham back to 218. Mick Edmunds top-scored on 54.
Second-placed Knowle breezed past Brislington by five wickets. Sam Britton (4-21 from ten overs) and Oli Haynes (51 not out) impressed. Bath 2nds lost ground on the top two with a four-run home setback against Stapleton, for whom Ghulam Shabbir hit 52, while Twyford House were threewicket victors away to Bristol 2nds. » Premier Two Bristol/Somerset is such a tight division that Keynsham moved from last place to sixth after overcoming Westonsuper-Mare by 72 runs.
Skipper Dan Jarman anchored the home side’s total of 229-5 with an unbeaten 80 off 102 balls, while Reg Keates weighed in with 51.
Stand-in Weston skipper Pete Trego finished with 2-42 from ten overs, before his side came up short. Shabil Ahmed top-scored on 44 as Sam Wheller (4-27) led the bowling attack.
Bishopston now find themselves bottom in a division reduced to nine teams following Glastonbury’s late withdrawal.
The Bristol side were bowled out for only 115 at Ilminster, who were restricted to 199 by Dave O’Brien (3-27) and Lawrence Cook (2-22, both from ten overs).
Leaders Lansdown marched on with a five-wicket home victory over Shapwick & Polden.
» Thornbury remain hot on the heels of Premier Two Glos/Wilts leaders Cheltenham after seeing off Trowbridge by five wickets.
Captain Luke Davis (3-33 from nine overs) was the pick of the home attack as Trowbridge were bowled out for 201 with eight overs in hand.
Opener Nick Willis-Stovold (71) then paved the foundations for a comfortable win.
Cheltenham coasted in by nine wickets at home to Rockhampton, who battled to total 164 after winning the toss, Will Tyler dug in for 64 from 125 balls.