LECHLADE proved they can do it with the ball as well as the bat on Saturday after they claimed victory at home to Thornbury to move to the top of the early Premier Two Glos/Wilts table.

Freddie Martin’s men are the only side to win both league matches so far this summer following their 14-run success at the Manor Ground.

Lechlade plundered 335 runs a week previously during their opening day win away at Chippenham but were forced to defend a lowly 168 against Thornbury.

The hosts found life tough going on a sticky wicket, although openers Tom Young (35) and Joe Breet shared an opening stand of 55 before wickets began to fall.

Brad Dial (31) led a recovery but once he departed, Lechlade went from 125-4 to 168 all out, with Harry Wormwell (3-19) and Danny Slade (3-38) the pick of the Thornbury attack.

Skipper Martin said: “It was a very different game to last week.

“We were put into bat on a bit of a wet wicket. It was a struggle but the openers had a good stand to start with.

“The first 20 overs were quite cautious and they got us into a reasonably good position but we struggled to kick on from there.

“I think around 200 would have been a par score on that track so we were a bit below that and needed to bowl well.”

Lechlade did not make too many early inroads with the ball and when the Thornbury reply reached the 100 mark for the loss of just three wickets, the visitors seemed on course for victory.

However, the run-out of opener Nick Willis-Stovold (41) proved crucial before Tom Barnes (3-33) ripped through the middle order to put the hosts back in control.

“Liam Smith bowled really tightly first up alongside Joe Breet but Thornbury looked like they were cruising at one point,” added Martin.

“We knew we were still in the game if we kept plugging away and Tom Barnes’ bowled brilliantly to get three wickets after we got that run-out – I think that wicket changed the game, really.

“It was a massive team effort on Saturday. Everyone chipped in either with the bat or the ball.

“Tom Young’s knock of 30-odd was really important for us at the start of the match and Tom Barnes bowled a great spell with the ball.”