A POOR fielding display and an umpires' error cost Goatacre dearly as they were defeated by two wickets in their league encounter at Gloucester City on Saturday 20 July.

Visiting skipper Peter Turner won the toss and elected to bat, only for Scott Curwood to surrender his wicket when he was stumped off the bowling of Taylor with the score on 15.

Rob Turner and Steve Geen shared a stand of 56 and Turner reached his half-century in the 16th over before he was given out lbw to Baker.

Donegan and Peter Turner soon followed and, when Gee was bowled for 32, Goatacre were struggling on 107 for five.

Gee's dismissal brought Jif Wilkins to the crease and he helped repair the innings with an unbeaten 77.

Wilkins received support from Kevin Iles, Sam Parish and John Wilkins and ended the innings with a towering six as the visitors closed on 238 for eight.

Some loose early bowling gave Gloucester a good start in reply, but Adam Iles struck early when he had Lee caught behind in the fifth over.

New batsman Macadam and Collision continued to score regular boundaries and, with the score at 149 for two, the hosts were the clear favourites to clinch victory.

Rhan Heer bowled a tight spell and three wickets fell for seven runs and Goatacre were given fresh hope. Andy Donegan also grabbed two wickets as the home side were reduced to 224 for eight with five overs remaining.

Then came controversy as Baker, who had earlier been injured while bowling, came out to bat with a runner and was run out after wandering five yards outside his ground.

The umpires, unclear on the law, gave the batsman not out and the decision proved crucial as an apologetic Baker smashed consecutive boundaries off Donegan to seal victory for his side.