Weston ended their season in fine style with a nine-wicket victory over Thornbury.

WESTON finished the season in emphatic style with a nine-wicket victory over promotion hopefuls Thornbury.

Bowling first, Weston got off to a good start with Tom Chambers and Charl Willoughby picking up wickets inside the first 10 overs. Thornbury played aggressively, but wickets fell at regular intervals with Ash Allen (3) and Shabel Ahmed (2) accounting for the middle order.

Willoughy picked up two further wickets and Chris Davidson picked up the final wicket after a last wicket partnership of 48 carried Thornbury to 154.

Thornbury required victory for promotion, but the in-form opening partnership of Fear and King had other ideas. The pair both passed 500 runs as they went beyond another 50-run partnership.

Both batsman cleared the ropes as they took Weston to 100 in the 17th over. King was first to his fifth half century, with Fear reaching also his fifth of the season shortly afterwards.

With 20 to win, Fear fell caught behind, but Ahmed ensured no further wickets fell as he watched King hit the biggest maximum of the day to seal victory and pick up 21 points.

Weston finished the season in fifth place with 10 wins and seven defeats. Only league champions Potterne won more games. Weston will rue their early season form as batting bonus points was the main difference between second and fifth place.

Weston stuck with their youth policy this season and gave full 1st XI league debuts to five players who have represented the junior section.

With those players establishing themselves in the side and making contributions, and further youngsters showing the potential to make the step up, Weston have an exciting few years ahead building for a successful, but sustainable future.

Vice-captain Charl Willoughby finished as the league’s highest wicket-taker with 37 wickets and he was well supported by Stringer (16), Chris Davidson (21) and Allen (22).

Andy Fear and James King were the stand-out batsmen, with Fear holding the early season batting together single-handedly at times. John Davidson finished as the league’s most prolific wicket-keeper with 17 catches and five stumpings.

On behalf of the club, cricket chairman Nick Evans would like to thank all the players, volunteers and supporters for their help this season. The biggest thanks go to all of the sponsors at the club, especially main club sponsors Forte Financial and Howards Motor Group.