LECHLADE gave their hopes of survival a huge shot in the arm with an impressive 25-run victory away at Thornbury.

Joe Breet’s men have endured a tough start to life in the WEPL second tier after their promotion from the Glos/Wilts Division last term but this latest result means they have pulled 29 points clear of the drop zone with four games to go.

“We came off at the end feeling pretty relieved,” admitted Breet.

“We are close to the bottom of the table so we knew it was a game we needed to win and thankfully we were able to do that.

“We batted well, bowled well and fielded well and it was a really good performance.

“We have lost to them twice this year, at our place in the league and in the quarter-finals of the Gloucestershire Cup, so it is nice to get one over on them.”

Lechlade were forced to start the match short on numbers and therefore had no choice but to bat first and a tough day looked in store when James Palmer and Brad Dial were both dismissed with just 27 on the board.

Sam Burdock also fell and it was left to skipper Breet and Benny Ellis to mount a rescue as they shared a stand of 91 to take the total to 147. After Ellis (39) was caught behind, Breet took his score to 85 before being bowled.

Kam Shah and Tristan Hawkes (27) then added a quickfire partnership of 55, while a huge six from coach Luke Sellers helped his team to a final total of 269-9.

Breet said: “We had three people arrive late as there was an accident on the M5, so we didn’t have a choice of what to do at the toss.

“Their captain asked me what I wanted to do and I said we have to bat and he said he wanted to bowl anyway.

“We were a bit nervous at the start but when myself and Benny Ellis came together we just said we needed to bat time and not lose any more wickets.

“It was nice to score a few runs and it’s good to be able to contribute, especially when the team is struggling.”

Hawkes (1-40) and Sellers (3-53) kept the Thornbury openers quiet but it took the introduction of Breet (2-45) to make the breakthrough.

Thornbury had advanced to 60 when Dial claimed two quick wickets, while Ellis also got an lbw decision with his first ball to leave the hosts in trouble at 91-4.

Young brothers Marc (58) and Dan Lezar (53) came together and shared a partnership of 65 but Sellers came back into the attack to remove both of them, with Thornbury eventually finishing on 244-9.

Breet added: “It was a wicket that was conducive to bowling and I just said to the guys to be patient and they will get their rewards and thankfully that is what happened.”