GOATACRE’S players took a moment to put their season in perspective after suffering a four-wicket defeat at Weston-super-Mare in WEPL Premier Two.

The Wiltshire side suffered their third defeat in five games on Saturday and former skipper Craig Gibbens – still very much a part of the side – said that was addressed at the weekend.

“We had a little chat after Saturday in terms of whether we overachieved in the previous three seasons and whether we were putting too much pressure on ourselves,” he said.

“Expectations are high and after all, we are little Goatacre and these are big places we’re going to.

“Maybe there’s second-season syndrome there which they talk about in the Premier League, it’s always going to be hard because sides will be up for it when they play us.

Goatacre opener Ed Kilbee cracked an unbeaten 107 of 159 balls, but his side crumbled to 195-9.

Weston worked their way to a winning 199-6, opener Sam Trego with 51 and Edd Brown 56, as Goatacre skipper Brad Dawson took 2-22.

There was better news for Dawson’s side on Sunday as they made it through to the Dorset & Wilts final of the National Village Knockout Cup.

Last season’s semi-finallists beat Burbage & Easton Royal by 79 runs, setting up a clash with Potterne on Sunday June 16 for a place in the national round.

  • IN THE Premier One Division, Corsham were unable to make it three wins on the trot last weekend as they were thrashed by eight wickets at the hands of league leaders Bath.

Robin D’Souza’s visitors won the toss and opted to bat first but found the Bath bowling attack in deadly form.

Adam Mitchell got Corsham’s highest score with a knock of just 17, whilst Tom Abbott (15), Toby Davies (11) and Steve Bullen (11) were closest behind.

Bath’s Tom Stayt and Jordan Price both claimed three wickets each as D’Souza’s men were skittled for a lowly 96 in the 28th over.

The hosts’ Robin Lett was left to put Corsham out of their misery, hitting an unbeaten 66 as Bath cruised to 97-2 in just over 22 overs.