GOATACRE'S inexperienced line-up fell 67 runs short of their target after a spirited reply against fancied Dumbleton on Saturday.

The hosts fielded first after winning the toss with a side containing six players with little first team experience.

A wayward opening spell gave Dumbleton the initiative, with Hottinger particularly severe on anything pitched short.

His partnership with Holland reached 85 in 17 overs before the introduction of Ed Wilkins had immediate effect as he bowled Hottinger for 57 with the last ball of his first over.

Hancock went onto his 50 after being dropped twice and Wilkins was unlucky not to pick up more wickets in his spell of six overs.

Rhan Heer bowled a tidy spell of 15 overs with no luck at all and not a wicket to show for his efforts, but the introduction of new man Richardson caused a turn around as he struck in each of his first three overs.

Holland began to increase the rate in the last 15 overs, reaching his hundred with a pull through square leg and in partnership with Smith, who scored 37 not out, took the score to 298-5 from 50 overs.

Richardson ended with three wickets for 32 from five overs, while Holland finished unbeaten on 124.

Goatacre, in reply, looked to consolidate with Ferris and Matt Wilkins batting sensibly, before Wilkins was bowled for eight with the score on 21.

This brought Dave Oliver in for his first team debut and looking solid from the start, began to build the innings with Ferris, before the latter was bowled for 19 with the score on 53.

With John Wilkins out lbw playing no shot to Williams, Richardson joined Oliver and the duo built a decent partnership. Oliver punished any wayward bowling and went on to score an excellent 50, before being stumped for 62.

That left Goatacre 110 for four at the half way stage. Ed Wilkins was joined by skipper Peter Turner and both batted positively, with the latter playing some big shots.

Turner was caught at long on for 39 as he tried to increase the rate and Adam Iles guided a short ball straight into the first slip's hands and Goatacre were 200 for seven with four overs to go.

Ed Wilkins and Rhan Heer helped take Goatacre to 231 for seven and maximum batting points. Wilkins was undefeated on 48 at the end.

Goatacre's 2nd eleven were defeated by seven wickets at Marshfield 2nds and the 3rd team by 120 runs at Westinghouse 2nds.