Bank House GCCL Div Two
Poulton 270-3
Thornbury II 199 all out
POULTON CC warmed up for a mini tour in Kent this week with a comprehensive victory over Thornbury's 2nd XI at a windy England's thanks largely to a magnificent 150 from Mark Burton.

The visitors were invited to field first but not before young Dan Collins had been presented with his 1st Xl cap by club skipper Ross Cutts.

Burton and Scott Meredith opened the innings circumspectly against the energetic Paul Wookey (2-40) but once Burton found the shorter ball to his liking he dispatched it fiercely to the boundary. His innings included 26 fours and one towering six over mid-wicket.

Meredith played the foil to his hard hitting team-mate, making 35 and putting on over 100 by drinks. The fall of his wicket brought Sam Denning to the crease and continuing his excellent form so far this season he finished on 43 not out as Poulton posted 270-3 from 45 overs.

The visitors got off to a nervous start and although Robbie James pulled up injured, the Poulton side was packed with bowling – the Newman brothers (James 3-41) and Ollie (2-17) ensuring that there was no runaway start to the opposition's innings.

Cirencester RFC No.10 Ollie was returning from an injury which kept him out of the game all last season but he bowled straight and with pace and will be a handful on helpful wickets.

The dangerous, and economical, James eventually returned for a second spell to finish the innings, while Liam James (2-31) bowled with great commitment and focus for the second week in a row.

When the middle order looked like hanging around for a while, Graham Clarke (2-29) took the pace off the ball and, with the help of a juggling Jon Maunder catch at short cover, ended any realistic attempt to chase down the Poulton score.

Only Andy Weeks and Alex Allen looked dangerous but the bowling was disciplined and attacking field placings meant Thornbury had to take risks and go aerial.

New boy Collins got his name on the scoreboard with an excellent piece of out-fielding to run out Greg Mallitte at the end of the innings, ably assisted by keeper Cutts.

Poulton need to remain focussed for Chipping Sodbury away next Saturday.