CORSHAM entertained Thornbury on Saturday in their first home encounter of the season, following last weeks abandonment away at Weston-super-Mare.

Again the weather was to play an important part, and rain delayed the start by an hour and a half and to just 42 overs a side.

Eventually Corsham lost an important toss, which ruined their chances of gaining victory.

Put into bat both Joe Breet and Richard Greatorex fell cheaply, however Paul Marsh and Roger Sillence scored freely and easily.

Boundaries were frequent and Thornbury displayed very defensive tactics, with fielders scattered to all parts and the lack of any close catchers.

Marsh was bowled by Damain Forder but Steve Perrin started the revival aided by Sillence. A mix-up between the two saw Perrin run out for 19, but Sillence continued to bat aggressively until he was caught behind for 48.

Steve Copland again looked in good form as did Mark Coxon and they saw the home sides total creep slowly toward the 200 mark.

However Corsham lost quick wickets and it was due to an aggressive finish by Paul Clifford that they reached 194 for nine off their 42 overs.

Toby Sharpe, making his home debut, opened the bowling from the bowls green end with immediate effect, producing an off cutter that ripped Neil Stovold's off peg out of the ground.

Chris Budd then smashed consecutive boundaries, before slashing at a half volley and Clifford took a tumbling catch at third man to dismiss the Wiltshire batsman.

Former Kent opener Simon Hinks and Price batted sensibly against a ball that was nipping around off the seam and added 74 before Marsh brought about a false shot from Hinks and was caught for 45.

This exposed one end of a fragile Thornbury batting line up and Marsh took the opportunity to make in roads. The scoring rate slowed right up and it was evident the visitors, with wickets in hand, were happy with the draw.

Sharpe had other ideas, as the visitors' batting crumbled as he removed Jon White, and needing a hat-trick to seal victory removed both Damian Forder and Jon Wormwell.

Fortunately for Thornbury, it was the final delivery and defeat had been avoided, which seemed to be the visitors intention from ball one.

Sharpe ended with excellent figures of five for 26 and Marsh four for 24.

Corsham travel to newly promoted Taunton on Saturday.