WEPL Premier One second XI

Bridgwater 2nd XI 155-1 beat Thornbury 154 by nine wickets

LIAM Kitch smashed 88 from just 41 balls to fire Bridgwater 2nd XI to a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Thornbury on Saturday.

Kitch struck 12 fours and six sixes on his way to a match-winning knock, as Bridgwater reached their target of 155 in just 17 overs.

Ben Coombes played a more passive role at the other end to finish unbeaten on 26, as the home side cruised to an eighth win of the season.

Earlier, Andrew Skidmore was in fine form with the ball, taking 5-38 from nine overs as Thornbury were bowled out for 154 inside 42 overs – but his efforts were overshadowed by Kitch’s blistering display, as he fired his side to victory in quick-fire time.

Thornbury’s innings started in positive fashion, with openers Marcus Wormwell (18) and Ed Webb (41) taking the score to 48, before the former was smartly run out by Andrew Skidmore.

Skidmore then took the next three wickets - including that of top-scorer, Webb - to reduce the Thorns to 99-4.

Josh Horler (1-36), Tim Hill (1-27) and Ian Higgins (1-9 from eight overs) all chipped in with a wicket apiece as the visitors slumped to 153-9, before Scott Clapp (1-39) put the final nail in the coffin, clean bowling Greg Mallitte for nine.

In reply, Bridgwater wasted little time, as Kitch took a liking to anything Thornbury could muster up.

Joshua Morris’ five overs cost a remarkable 62 runs, as the left-hander cut loose at the top of the order.

He eventually departed with his side 15 runs short, but Coombes and Hill (6no) eased the hosts over the finish line with plenty of overs to spare.

Bridgwater 2nd XI remain second in Premier One and travel to Keynsham on Saturday.