1st XI by Paddy McMahon

Thornham got their season off to the perfect start with a ‘closer than it should have been’ win over Golborne. The margin of 36 runs would, and should, have been much larger but a 59-run last-wicket partnership gave Thornham something to think about.

Thornham won the toss – skipper McMahon’s only contribution to the day – and elected to bat. Pro Afzaal, one of four debutants, and Chris Heywood both departed before the score was 30, as the first 10 overs were tight. This brought the combination of Andy Micklethwaite and Jake Hardy to the wicket and their 161-run partnership put Thornham in a commanding position. Both batsmen played really well and didn’t let the disruptive wind affect their concentration. Micklethwaite wowed the hardy fans watching by clearing the ropes twice (including the ground once) but it was Jake’s 118* on debut that really caught the eye. His 11 fours and 5 sixes were part of a great knock and hopefully the start of a very positive season for one of our Aussies. The other overseas, Kobe Allison, chipped in with a useful cameo of 17 from 8 balls, as Thornham posted 265/5.

The wind showed no signs of dying down, resulting in the second innings being played without bails. Golborne started well and it was Tony Clough who broke the deadlock with Thornham’s first wicket at the newly-named ‘Saqib Mahmood End.’ Wickets fell relatively steadily with final debutant Matt Collins picking up 2, Clough 2 and Kobe Allison’s lively three overs resulting in clean bowling Declan Mulvey – no bails needed to see that it was out! Joe Peacock’s 50 kept Golborne interested before McMahon turned to the spin of Afzaal and Heywood. This brought about four more wickets before the last pair of Tom Owen and Sam Wells cut loose, freed their arms and took some chances, ruining Heywood’s figures in the process. In the end, Thornham’s total proved too much and Afzaal bowled Owen for 37 to finish the game.

2nd XI by Lewis Hughes

Thornham second team took on Bolton Indians away in their first game of the season.

Having lost the toss, Thornham were put into bat but got off to a great start with Alec Mclure making his 50.

Aside from this, wickets fell frequently and following the dismissal of captain Lewis Hughes and Mclure in quick succession, Thornham lost 7 wickets for around 30 runs, with the only resistance being from Kammy Ditta, unbeaten on 33.

Thornham finishing 135 all out with 15 overs still remaining. Bolton Indians captain "Apache" Arjan taking 8 wickets for just 31 runs with a fantastic display of slow, swing bowling.

Bolton Indians wasted no time in their run chase, with opener Haffiji leading them to 48 off the first ten overs before Thornham all rounder Mohammed Adnan got the breakthrough wicket.

Thornham young gun Aaron Hall took two wickets but Bolton Indians never looked in trouble as Haffiji proved an immovable object making his way to 72 not out and completing the run chase in just 30 overs. Bolton Indians finishing 139 for 4.

A tough start for Thornham Seconds who did have several experienced players missing early season.


3rd XI by Matthew Collinge

Thornham drubbed by Elton.

A sunny day. A firm wicket. What could go wrong?

Collinge won the toss and elected to bat. Then it went downhill. An eventful first over saw wides, no balls, a near run out and the skipper gone for a duck.

Shortly afterwards Sarfraz was bowled off a full toss.

Obaid and Greenwood steadied the ship before the latter was bowled off an in-swinging deliver. Obaid was run out shortly after, trying to take a single to the fielder.

Horridge and Williams then joined the duck pond before experienced Heywood attempted to salvage the innings. The tail fell shortly after leaving him stranded.

The bowling performance did not fare much better, with Elton's batter "Extras" having a superb innings. A rare highlight of the day was Raza taking his 1st wicket of the season.