Chasing 228, Thornton were 6/140 when Chris Archer was out for 48 after opener Jono Gabriel got them off to a flier with a rapid-fire 44 at the top innings.

Daniel Willis 53 not out and Jake Reeves 39 not out combined for a crucial 90-run partnership to see their side home at 6/230 with 11 balls to spare.

Reduced to a 100-over contest because of the heat, the Griffins posted 7/228 from their 50 overs led by an impressive 61 by teenager Joe Hancock.

Jack Bennett made a quick-fire 48 of 47 balls, teen Tom Porter made 31, skipper Michael Gavan 32 and Joel Connell finished unbeaten on 25.

Thornton shared the wickets around with Elliott Thompson (2-45) and Reeves(2-43) picking up two wickets each. Joel Connell picked up two wickets for the Griffins.

Notoriously slow starters to the season, the win cements Thornton in third spot on the ladder with 21 points from three wins from five games.

It was just the response skipper Matt Gabriel would have be looking for after a disappointing loss to Kurri Weston last round when they were dismissed for just 117.

While disappointed with the loss, Easts skipper Gavan was pleased with another strong performance by his young side to back up after their win against Western Suburbs last round.

"Joe Hancock played fantastic for his 61 and is improving week in week out," Gavan said.

"We forget sometimes he is 16, the same as Tom Porter who scored a good 31 this week.

"At their age they are great results as they are working out quickly how to score runs in first grade.

"As a team even though we lost we have put together back to back matches of consistency which is good.

"We will learn a few things from it but Thornton are an experienced team and played well."

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