GOATACRE skipper Brad Dawson was not too downhearted despite his side missing out on third place on the final day of the Premier Two season.

The Wiltshire side went into Saturday’s clash with Gloucester City Winget just two points behind Thornbury in third, but despite winning their final match of the season by 43 runs they couldn’t overhaul their rivals.

Goatacre eventually finished fourth with Thornbury’s two-point lead still intact after they beat Weston-super-Mare, but Dawson, pictured, was happy with the way his side were able to finish their season after a tough start.

“We ended up fourth by two points which was a bit of a shame, but to be that close to third is pretty good as well,” he said.

“Us and Thornbury were 40 points ahead of the teams below us so that’s pretty good and shows we had a good season.

“We’re very happy with what happened, especially given how we were looking halfway through the season and to be that high up two years in a row and challenging again was pretty good for us.”

Dawson was happy with his side’s total on a decent batting surface thanks to 64 from Ed Wilkins and was also pleased with the way his bowlers went about their business.

“The pitch was all right but we knew 200-plus was a good score on it because it was moving around a little and going up and down,” he said.

“It was good for the lads and things went nicely, although we lost a few wickets in the middle before getting going again, but we got going again and it all worked out all right.

“We got to 228 which was a good effort but it was touch and go because Gloucestershire player Ed Young got in, but we managed to get him out.

“They batted a bit oddly in the middle because I think they wanted to get batting points but ended up blocking away a few, and they then got massively behind the rate so it always looked good for us.”

Former captain Craig Gibbens took five wickets as the Gloucester side were bowled out for 185 and Dawson was pleased to see the experienced spinner finish on a high.

“There was a bit of turn in the pitch and he bowled very well so it was a perfect way for him to end the season,” Dawson said.

“It’s good for him and good for us because we now have three batters and three bowlers in the top 10s in the league which shows everyone has contributed not just one or two people.”