Goatacre 214-8, Trowbridge 59 (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Goatacre 214-8, Trowbridge 59

GLOS/WILTS ONE: GOATACRE captain Sam Parish praised his sides fielding after registering their first away win since 2003 with a 155 run drubbing of Trowbridge on Saturday.

After posting 214-8 in their 50 overs Parish's side shot their hosts out for just 59 in 23 overs.

All four of Goatacre's league victories this season have now been by the margin of 100 runs or more.

"Our bowling was supported well by our fielding and that has been much better this season," said the skipper.

"I think it can raise your game and a great catch can change who is in control. I would say this year we have maybe dropped two or three catches which is a great improvement."

Captain Parish said he had expected a harder game at Trowbridge especially with the in-form Pete Turner off sick.

"We rose to the occasion and Steve Gee and Kevin Iles batted really well.

"We lost our way in the middle but Iles and Dan Horton saw us through.

"We also bowled well and to be fair to Jif he's taken around seven wickets for 40 runs when he's bowled for us so I may have to use him more."

After Parish had won his eighth toss in a row and chose to bat, Steve Lines and Gee both survived being dropped early to get Goatacre off to a good start, putting on 83 in 19 overs.

The introduction of spin then paid dividends for Trowbridge as Lines was caught behind off Andy Plowright for 33.

Gee moved to 52 before he skied Plowright and was caught and then fellow spinner Richard Holbrook removed Ed and Jif Wilkins to leave Goatacre 130-4.

Iles was looking comfortable though and he was supported by Toby Horton until Horton was trapped LBW by Holbrook for nine.

Horton's brother Dan joined Iles and a combination of positive running and clean striking saw Goatacre near 200. Iles was eventually caught for 49, but Horton's impressive unbeaten 34 ensured the visitors ended on 214-8. Spinners Holbrook and Plowright bowled well to finish with seven wickets between them.

In reply, Trowbridge were never in the hunt after an amazing opening burst by Jif Wilkins.

In his first over he clean bowled Oatley and in his second he removed Pete Hickerton thanks to a stunning one handed catch off his own ball.

Wilkins then had Lee Morris caught behind and Tom Edwards LBW as the home side collapsed to 25-4. Iles replaced him and quickly removed Darryl Brown and Holbrook before Rahn Heer joined in the fun with three consecutive wickets.

Wilkins then returned and with his first ball he bowled Plowright to finish with 5-22 as Trowbridge could only muster 59.