Thornton led by an outstanding 90 not out by skipper Jake Moore pulled off a memorable last-ball outright win against Eastern Suburbs on Saturday.
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Needing three runs to win off the last ball, Jono Gabrielle edged the ball past Easts keeper Jesse Budden for a four and a memorable win.
It was a 13-run last over with Moore hitting a six first ball, followed by three singles, a dot ball and then the four.
Moore took the game by the scruff of the neck claiming five wickets in Easts second innings including the prized wicket of Griffins skipper Jack Bennett for 82.
He then set about chasing down 165 in the second innings off just 21 overs combing in a match-winning innings with Gabrielle who made 49.
“It was a fantastic game of cricket. Easts really made a game of it by chasing a win instead of just settling for a draw when we led by 71 after the first innings,” Moore said.
“Our boys really got a move on at the start and got the runs to get first inning points and give us a bit of a lead in pretty quick time. It set the game up for a result.
Thornton were all out for 230 after resuming on 5/113 chasing Easts first innings total of 159.
Without a win, Easts were not willing to let the game go without have a shot at a win and Will Stoneman gave them a good start with 37 including two sixes and three fours in a 52 run partnership with Bennett.
Michael Gavan with 29, Josh Hicks 37 and Trent Park 27 gave Bennett good support but Easts lost quick wickets at the end in the push for runs and were all out for 236 off 39 overs.
Ellliott Thompson was the other chief wicket taker finishing with three wickets.
“If they hadn’t lost those quick wickets at the end they probably could have set a target beyond us and gone for the wickets,” Moore said.
“They had the chance make us chase 10 an over but thankfully we got the wickets at the end.
“They needed wickets early as Port Stephens did against us when they nearly bowled us out in the second innings.”
Moore said it was a great all-round win by the team and provided just the injection of confidence they needed to carry them into the second half of the season.
They are equal fifth with Wests on 21 points, one point behind Raymond Terrace.
