Goatacre's dream of appearing at cricketing mecca Lord's is still very much alive after another convincing victory yesterday.

The Wiltshire team easily swept aside the challenge of Avon and Somerset district champions Butleigh to book their place in the last 16 of the National Village Cricket Championship the most prestigious prize in village cricket.

Goatacre twice won the title at the end of the 80s, and the current side look well equipped to emulate their predecessors after romping to a seven-wicket triumph over the visiting side.

Having won the toss, Butleigh elected to bat first and started in solid enough fashion, amassing 43 runs without loss by the 11th over.

But the Goatacre attack, led by Ron Heer, soon found their range, and tore through the Butleigh order.

Somerset's finest were left reeling as they were dismissed for just 109, with Heer collecting five wickets, while claiming four maidens and conceding just 18 runs.

The Butleigh total could have been even less impressive but for some charitable fielding from the hosts, who dropped a string of seemingly straight forward catches.

But it was all academic as Goatacre, boasting a wealth of batting talent, raced to 113 for the loss of three wickets after 22.4 overs.

Robert Turner led the way with an excellent 68, ably supported by Scott Curwood who added 21.

After an equally convincing win against county rivals Potterne in the last round, Goatacre will now be rated among the favourites for a return to the pinnacle of village cricket.

Club captain Pete Turner certainly believes that his troops can go one better than last year when they entertain Werrington or Clyst St George in the next round.

"We are very happy," said the Goatacre skipper. "It's fantastic, a great achievement for the players and the club to get this far.

"We got to the same stage last year and now we hope to go a little further. It's just three more games before we get to Lord's."

Turner was impressed with the way his team performed, and hopes that the nature of the victory will send out a message to the other sides aiming for a place at Lords.

"We played well, bowled tightly and fielded fairly well despite dropping a few catches. It was a professional performance.

"We're going to play at home again in the next round, so we've got to consider ourselves as favourites again. It's going to be tough because any team that has got this far are no mugs.

"But after today, we would hope that other teams will be wary of us."