Thruxton v Knights Valley.

Thruxton returned to action following a two week lay off with a disappointing defeat to Knights Valley.

Asked to bat first Thruxton looked confident against the hostile opening bowler and added seven runs off the first eight balls before Sean Yates was run out backing up after Adam Mills ferocious drive hit the bowler and the ball deflected onto the stumps.

Mills and Steve Pickett added a useful 35 in four overs before Pickett was bowled for 14 and Mills and Matt Knight soon followed leaving Thruxton on 48-4 after tenovers.

That soon became 56-6 but a superb 49 run partnership between skipper Paul Harvey and young John Darling steadied the ship, Darling hitting seven fours in his 30 which turned out to be the top score of the innings.

He departed on 101-7 and only 14 more could be added to the total with Finlay (5-27) ripping through the rest of the tail, Harvey being one of his victims for 27 runs.

JPD Property Services sponsored Thruxton at least had three figures to defend and started well when Mills took an easy caught and bowled in the third over.

Some tight bowling restricted Knights Valley in the early overs with wickets falling however a 33 run partnership for the fourth wicket broke the back of the total at tea.

There were to be no more joy and Finlay completed a good day at the office by hitting the winning runs to notch up his 50. Mills took 2-44 and Knight and Dean Creswell one a piece.