MENHENIOT v GOATACRE

WITH both sides bidding to reach the quarter finals of this popular village ko cup competition all roads led to Menheniot on Sunday where, before a crowd estimated at 400, Menheniot swept through in style defeating their Wiltshire opponents by 45 runs.

Saturday's rain had abated and the pitch, covered for most of the week, was relatively dry and hard. Having won the toss Goatacre opted to field.

The entertainment, in the form of Danny Lee and Phil Goldsmith came in, but the carnival was cut short when Goldsmith was bowled by Turner for one. This brought in the young Tunnadine who supported the big hitting Lee well. His first scoring shot racing through square cover for four.

Despite his admitted lack of form he supported the big hitters well, although one of these, Lee, departed in the 10th over, having danced down the track, he the missed the ball and was stumped.

In came the tanned Hunt whose innings was the cornerstone of the Menheniot total. He managed to hit two sixes into the field at head height. This was lucky because he and Tunnadine had found it hard to run to the right ends at the right times. It eventually resulted in Tunnadine being run out for 42 in the 30th over.

Herbert then joined Hunt who was almost instantly dismissed by a snorter of a catch at mid-wicket. This brought in media star Rogers to join Herbert. However Herbert didn't hang around for too long and with Goldsmith also failing it was up to S Taylor to finish off the innings. This he did with some clean hitting which saw Menheniot reach 198 with a few overs to spare. Randle replaced the departed Rogers and he and Taylor brought the total up to 203 for 8.

By now the crowd were in buoyant mood and awaited the reply of Goatacre. When it came it was slow to begin with. It faltered further when Ian Goldsmith bowled Dawson for 0. Some excellent bowling by Goldsmith and Herbert built up pressure on the Goatacre batsmen, which resulted in a moment of madness for both teams. M Hunt took on the arm of Tunnadine at cover but his partner stayed rooted to his crease. However the keeper A Taylor decided against running him out so it was left to Jerry Randle to deal with the inevitable.

Turner then came in and looked very impressive. Having deposited Hunt into the Fourgates estate he followed it up by chipping the ball back to Hunt. Goatacre were now 42 for 3 from 14 overs.

An excellent partnership then developed between Atkinson and Iles and Goatacre looked in real contention. However the turning point came when J Randle caught Iles brilliantly in front of the baying throngs of the pavilion off the bowling of Rogers.

Three wickets then fell in as many overs as Tunnadine picked up Atkinson, well caught by P Goldsmith. This was followed by Wilkins jnr. to combine with another run out. Goatacre were now in a very poor position, but the game was not over. Before the end Tunnadine picked up another two wickets to finish with figures of 4 for 18. The game was finished with another run out. This one engineered by Rogers, whom in celebration did a good impression of bull in a china shop.

Although the cricket was at an end the celebrations carried on a bit longer. Credit though must go to Goatacre and their fans who came in busloads and supported their team with enthusiasm and passion while still taking defeat particularly well. Their support for the various refreshments on sale also contributed to a barmy summer atmosphere!

Menheniot 203 for 8 bt Goatacre 159 all out by 45 runs.