GOATACRE are one signing away from completing their winter business, following the arrivals of Rob Murphy and Dan Ellis.

All-rounder Murphy, who has been a key part of the Winsley side for the past five years, will add experience and clout to the middle order and an extra option with the ball. Left-arm seamer Ellis, meanwhile, is an exciting young talent who has relocated from Wootton Bassett.

Murphy averages a little under 30 with the bat and a fraction above 17 with the ball over six years in the West of England Premier League, while Ellis has taken 33 wickets in his two seasons in the league with Bassett.

Goatacre’s new skipper Brad Dawson is delighted with the double acquisition, but he stressed that the club are not finished just yet - with Giorgio Rigali poised to sign after leaving Swindon.

“We’ve got Rob Murphy from Winsley who should hopefully be a good signing, he’s a good player,” he told the Advertiser.

“Dan Ellis is a young lad from Wootton Bassett, the left-armer, and he seems quite quick in the nets and he’s bowling very well so he’ll be good to see when he gets outside.

“I’m hoping on Rigali. To be fair to him he’s been training and stuff. He had quite a bad side strain when he was in Dubai with Wiltshire and he’s still turning up to nets and standing there to have a watch and chat.

“He seems keen, he hasn’t signed yet but fingers crossed, if he does come that would be a massive difference.”

Goatacre’s veteran seam attack of Kevin Iles and Craig Gibbens would be boosted by an injection of youth, and Dawson is excited by the prospect of Rigali with new ball in hand.

Meanwhile, Premier Two will have to deal with the inimitable batting talents of Ed Kilbee once again in 2013, after the hard-hitting left-hander committed to Goatacre for the season after finding a job in Swindon.

Kilbee, who has registered nine centuries in 39 WEPL appearances for Goatacre, had previously made himself unavailable after work took him to London.

“At the minute you’ve got Gibbo and Kev bowling and I think if George came that would change the team,” said Dawson. “It’s a massive bonus having Kilbee back and if you add George to that, if he comes, you look at it and it’s a strong team.”