GOATACRE skipper Brad Dawson was pleased to put in a captain’s performance with both bat and ball to help his side secure a tight eight-run victory over plucky Glastonbury.

Having struggled for runs for much of the Premier Two campaign, Dawson let loose to score 110 from only 116 balls as his side scored 275 before taking three wickets as the visitors were bowled out for 267.

Despite being happy with his bowling this season Dawson has expected more from himself with the bat, but was pleased to contribute and was also quick to praise bowler Giorgio Rigali’s contribution at the crease in recent weeks.

“It was nice to get some runs for a change because, although I’ve got a few wickets this year and bowled really well, I’ve struggled a bit with the bat,” he said.

“Before Saturday I think my highest score was 32, and although I’m not an unbelievable player I know I’m better than that.

“I came in at 32-2 and me and Ed (Wilkins) took it to over a hundred before we lost two quick wickets. We then batted with Giorgio (Rigali) who has been very good considering he was an opening bowler and he’s not scored less than 40 for a number of weeks.

“Any total over 250 is tough to chase and we felt as if we had set a decent total.”

Dawson was surprised at how close his side were pushed and, at one stage, thought they were nailed on for the victory before some late wickets fell.

He said: “You have to give Glastonbury a lot of credit because they gave it a real good go, and with 15 overs to go they were cruising it really and needing 58 from ten overs on our ground with three or four wickets should be game over.”

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