GOATACRE moved a step closer to a third Lord's appearance on the afternoon of Sunday 7th July when they cruised to a seven-wicket win over Somerset visitors Butleigh.

The last 32 clash attracted around 200 spectators to the Wiltshire side's home ground and the bumper crowd were treated to a fine bowling display from the hosts as they skittled Butleigh out in 37 overs for just 109 runs.

Despite four consecutive maiden overs from Adam Iles, the visitors made a solid enough start and openers Garmsworthy and Gibbs put on 39 runs in the first ten overs.

Iles was rewarded for his accuracy when he had Garmsworthy caught behind by Ferris for 18, but it was change bowlers Scott Curwood and Rhan Heer who put the home side firmly in the driving seat.

The slowed the Butleigh scoring rate and took wickets at regular intervals, with Heer bagging five wickets for 18 runs and Curwood taking one for just 16.

Kevin Iles and Andy Dawson then finished the job, taking the final three wickets as Butleigh collapsed to 109 all out.

In reply, Rob Turner and Curwood made a positive start and put on 40 in the first nine overs before the latter was brilliantly caught by Brearey off the bowling of Park for 21.

Andy Donegan supported Turner with some sensible batting before he was run out with the score on 77 and replaced at the crease by Dawson.

Turner, who had taken 18 off one over from Payne, raced to a superb 68 before being caught at the mid-wicket boundary trying to score the winning hit, but Goatacre clinched victory in the next over with seven wickets to spare.

Goatacre captain Peter Turner was delighted with his side's triumph.

He said: "We bowled and fielded very well. They were a pretty weak side really, but anything can happen in this competition and it is just nice to win.

"They brought a coachload of 50 people with them and there must have been near on 200 there. That is all part of the competition and one of the reasons why we enjoy it so much."

The expectancy level in the village will rise once more on July 21 when either Werrington, from Cornwall, or Devon side Clyst St George travel to Goatacre with a place in the quarter finals at stake.

Said Turner: "It will be another big one and hopefully the weather will be kind and we will be able to fulfil the fixture at home.

"We are very excited and were saying after Sunday's game that if we win three more games we are at Lord's again."