KILMINGTON won for the first time this season when they inflicted a seven-wicket defeat on Thorverton that lifted them off the bottom of the table.

Three wickets apiece for Ben Fuzzard (3-20) and Oli Reed (3-6) helped consign Thorverton to 76 all out.

Matt Reed’s two for 19 included Thors’ left-hander Andy Kingdon, who was joint top scorer with Shane Yelverton on 12. Kingdon and Yelverton were among the casualties during the time it took to slide from 49 for two to 59 for eight.

Tom Gooding with 46 at the top of the order made the Kilmington run chase a formality.

Kilmington are still in the bottom two, but Thorverton have now slipped behind them.

Oli Reed, the winning captain, said he viewed the result as a potential turning point.

“It was an important win that, hopefully, gives us the momentum to push on,” said the skipper.

“What we got right was keeping things really disciplined with the ball from the start. We built pressure, hit good areas consistently, and that led to wickets. 

“The game probably swung our way in that opening spell from Ben Fuzzard when we picked up a couple of early wickets and never really let them settle. 

“Once we had Thorverton under pressure, everyone chipped in and we were able to bowl them out for 76.”