GOATACRE took a giant step towards a return to Lord's with a comfortable five-wicket home victory over old rivals Little Durnford & Fonthill in the Npower Village Knockout yesterday.

Twice winners of the competition, Goatacre cantered to a home win in the Wilts/Dorset final showdown and now face the winners of the Oxfordshire section in the next round.

Batting first, visiting Little Durnford could only amass a modest 155-9 from their allotted 40 overs.

Kevin Iles and Australian all-rounder Scott Curwood picked off openers Roundell and Scott-Gall for 18 and 27 respectively.

After that the away team offered little resistance.

Horn hit 31 before he was stumped by Parish, and Sealy went the same way for three.

Number nine batsman Trueman staged a late rally to knock 23 not out but economic bowling from Curwood and Iles who both collected four wickets restricted Little Durnford to 155 as their innings closed.

In reply, the Goatacre order scored steadily throughout.

Opener Steve Gee fell for two runs but partner Rob Turner went on to score 37 in a useful second-wicket partnership with Curwood who hit 23.

Jif Wilkins chipped in with 20 before a mid-innings wobble saw two wickets fall in quick succession to leave the hosts on 90-4.

Captain Pete Turner steadied the ship with 22 before Iles helped steer them home with 21.

Ed Wilkins had the privilege of hitting the winning runs in the 34th over to set up a showdown with the Oxfordshire group winners either Shipton-under-Wychwood or Oxford Downs in the next stage.