CORSHAM’S director of cricket Neil Shardlow insists his side are ready to fight tooth and nail to stay in the West of England League’s top flight after a crucial win over Thornbury.

All-rounder Tom Bowler hit 95 with the bat, then took two wickets as Corsham grabbed a priceless 56-run triumph over Thornbury on Saturday to lift their survival hopes.

The Wiltshire side remain bottom, but with just nine points now separating the bottom five, the Station Road side still have a good chance of avoiding the drop.

“Every game for us is like a cup final now, we know we’ve got to battle to stay in this league,’’ said Shardlow.

“We’ve played ourselves back into it with this win, but we’re under no illusions about the task ahead.

“There are four games left and we’ve probably got to win two of those at least.’’ An appointment at Weston Super Mare, who are just one place above them, on Saturday offers Shardlow’s men a chance to continue the winning momentum.

He added: “It’s important for us and Wiltshire cricket that we stay in the top division and our performances in the last three or four weeks have been an improvement.’’ Having chosen to bat, Corsham’s innings appeared to be in difficulty when Tom Shaw’s dismissal left them at 81-4. But Bowler shared stands of 52 with Robin D-Souza 54, then 105 with Ashur Morrison (35)to rebuild the innings.

Peter Turner also made a useful 22 late on as Bowler was run out five short of his century, his innings coming from 109 deliveries.

Thornbury’s number three batsman Juvaunie Gayle sharing partnerships of 47 with opener Curtis Blakemore (31) and 84 with Wayne Kylander (39). But D’Souza took 2-24 and Bowler 2-54 to slow their progress and they eventually finished on 230-6.

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