Shabil Ahmed scored a century in Weston’s comfortable victory over Thornbury.

WESTON began their Premier Two League campaign at home to Thornbury and came out as comfortable victors.

Having been asked to bat, Weston found themselves 2-1 after just three balls after Sam Trego was stumped. Andy Fear and Shabil Ahmed dug in and made use of the long boundaries.

Fear looked in good form in reaching 31 until he was caught at point. At 57-2, captain Chris Davidson joined Ahmed and the pair took on the responsibility of batting through the middle of the innings.

Only a run out was able to break the partnership when Davidson went for 44 in the 40th over with the partnership worth 129. This allowed the other batsman to attack and with Ahmed now dominating, Weston past the 200 mark shortly before Ahmed ran three to bring up an outstanding 100. Some lusty blows from Tom Main 11 not out and Mitch Smit (15) helped Weston reach 251-9.

Tom Main made the breakthrough in the third over, bowling Alex Reid. An injury the next ball forced Main out of the attack, but with Fear replacing him, Weston were still able to squeeze the opposition.

Nick Stovold (39) batted sensibly and approaching drinks Thornbury were 70-2 and well in the game, but with two balls until the break, Trego was able to remove Stovold with help from a smart stumping from John Davidson.

With the spin trio Ashley Allen, Trego and Ahmed working well, Weston put the pressure on and the run rate climbed. Chris Davidson came into the attack and had immediate success, bowling dangerman Richard Trottman and Luke Davis for a duck two balls later.

Allen returned and picked up the next three wickets to finish with 4-21 and Tom Court picked up a deserved wicket on his first team league debut.

It was left to Ahmed to finish the job as he had the final man lbw in the penultimate over as Weston picked up 20 points. Ash Allen was yet again the pick of the bowlers and Chris Davidson had an excellent start as captain leading from the front.

Intouch CRM man of the match went to Shabil Ahmed.

WESTON

S Trego st Lezar b Shrewsbury 2

A Fear c Davis b Trotman 31

S Ahmed c Reid b Shrewsbury 100

C Davidson run out 44

R Turner c Davis b Shrewsbury 5

M Smit b Shrewsbury 15

J Davidson lbw Slade 2

M Blamire b Shrewsbury 4

T Main not out 11

A Allen b Slade 2

T Court not out 1

Extras 34

Total (9 wkts) 251

THORNBURY

A Reid b Main 2

N Willis-Stovold st J Davidson b Trego 39

D Slade c Main b Allen 9

D Lezar not out 61

R Trotman b C Davidson 10

L Davis b Davidson 0

T Bradley lbw Allen 12

T Shrewsbury lbw Court 1

H Cameron c J Davidson b Allen 3

R Borkar b Allen 3

G Mallitte lbw Ahmed 7

Extras 24

Total 171

Bowling: T Main 2-0-7-1; T Court 9-0-39-1; A Fear 5-1-14-0; A Allen 10-2-21-4; S Trego 10-1-38-1; S Ahmed 9.1-0-34-1; C Davidson 3-0-15-2.

This weekend sees the 1st XI travel to Cheltenham on Saturday (12.30pm start), while the 2nds face their Bath counterparts at Devonshire Road (1.30pm).

The thirds host Staplegrove 2nds on the East Ground (2pm) and the 4th XI travel to Huntspill & District 2nds (2pm).

On Sunday, the 1st XI make the trip to Warminster for the second round of the National Knockout competition (1pm start) and the Sunday League XI are at home to Stratton-on-the-Fosse (2pm). As always, spectators are most welcome at all games.