PAUL Fielder caned Abbotskerswell for an unbeaten century and more as Thorverton picked up their first league win of the season.
Fielder opened up for Thorverton and batted through to the close for an unbeaten 147 in their total of 256 for three.
Seppe Barletta claimed four wickets and there were two each for Jake Choules and Alex Hills as Abbots were bowled out for 208 in reply.
Victory lifts Thorverton to third from bottom, ahead of Seaton who lost to fellow strugglers Filleigh.
Fielder hit 21 fours and two sixes – that’s 96 in boundaries – during his 153-ball stay in the middle.
Along the way there were stands of 86 for the first wicket with John Farley (15), 74 for the third with George Greed (17) and 72 unbroken with David Baldock (28no).
Connor Adams (2-32) was the only Abbots bowler to have much success.
Abbots’ opener Charlie Mitchell stood his ground to make 72 off 100 balls as the home side recovered from 30 for three after an early duffing up from Barletta (4-31).
Skipper Charlie Hill (41) put on 96 with Mitchell as Abbots ate into the target and Thors had to break them up.
Hill went first, lbw to Barletta, then Mitchell was run out, leaving Abbots 155 for five.
Alex Birt (27) and Adams (30) kept going but once they went it was downhill all the way to 208 all out and a 32-run defeat.
Andy Pitt, the Thorverton captain, said it was a win that had to be earned as Abbots were determined opposition.
“Barletta got three wickets in his first four overs to put them under pressure,” said Pitt.
“We had a bit of a wobble as Mitchell and Charlie Hill put on 96 before Barletta came back on to get Hill and we managed to drag it back and get the run rate back up.
“I was really happy overall with the team. Paul Fielder rolled back the years, top order were excellent in support of him and the bowlers did well to stay calm under pressure in the last 15 to bowl Abbots out.”
Thorverton are at home to Bideford this Saturday.
Abbotskerswell captain Hill said once Fielder got going it was impossible to stop him.
“We lacked control in the first 15 over, which meant they could get off to a comfortable start on a good batting track that made wickets were hard to come by,” said Hill.
“Fielder batted very well without giving a chance the whole innings.”
Faced with a hefty target, Hill said Abbots had to start better than they did.
“We lost three early wickets and although myself and Charlie Mitchell rebuilt the inning it wasn't enough to get us over the line,” said Hill.
“There is plenty to work on to get a complete performance from the guys.
“We push on into next week away at Barton.”
