GOATACRE bounced back from the disappointment of losing to Werrington in the last 16 of the National Village Cricket Championship with a 20-run league win over Cinderford on Saturday 27 July.

Due to a broken mower blade, the grass on the wicket was longer than usual, but this did not stop home captain Peter Turner electing to bat on winning the toss.

With the absence of younger brother Rob, Turner turned to youth for his opening pair. Wiltshire under 19s playerrs Steve Gee and Matthew Wilkins gave the home side a good start with 20 runs coming from the first four overs.

Wilkins was caught in the next over and, when Gee was bowled attempting to pull Cinderford paceman Roberts with the score at 33 for two, a good total was again slipping from Goatacre batsmen's grasp.

Peter Turner and Jif Wilkins steadied the ship, making a stand of 42 in seven overs, before Turner's innings closed at 39 when he was caught and bowled by Kibble.

Scott Curwood continued his poor run of form with the bat when he was dismissed for just one and veteran Kevin Iles followed soon afterwards with the score on 93.

That brought Andrew Donegan to the crease and assisted by Wilkins, Andy Dawson and Adam Iles, he finished unbeaten on 56 as the hosts reached 218 for nine from their 45 overs.

Adam Iles made the breakthrough for Goatacre with the ball in the third over of Cinderford's innings, having Cartwright caught behind by Sam Parish.

Jif Wilkins bowled Evans in the 29th over and, when Australian Whitney ran himself out for 77 with the score at 145 for three, Cinderford began to panic.

A late burst of runs from Kibble meant Cinderford required 58 from the last six overs, but Rhan Heer and Dawson accounted for three visiting batsmen in quick succession to effectively clinch victory for the hosts.

Cinderford closed on 198 for six, 20 runs short of the Goatacre target.

Second placed Goatacre travel to third placed Marshfield on Saturday.