Goatacre promotion party soured by Swindon (From Swindon Advertiser)

Goatacre promotion party soured by Swindon

7:00am Tuesday 30th August 2011 in Cricket By Sam Morshead

GOATACRE went up with a whimper as they slipped to an emphatic eight-wicket defeat to Swindon at the County Ground on Saturday.

The match was all over by 5.40pm, as Asanka Vithanage, George Rigali and Will Nichols proved too much for the visitors batting line-up, with the exception of Jack Haines, before Paul Paginton saw the hosts home with the bat.

Goatacre, in need of just two bonus points to ensure promotion out of the WEPL Glos/Wilts Division, endured the worst possible start after being put in by Swindon captain Liam Tucker on a damp outfield, when Rigali trapped Ed Kilbee lbw with the first ball of the innings.

When Nick Pocock and Brad Dawson quickly followed, Goatacre were 7-3 and rocking.

Haines stuck resolutely in the middle as wickets fell around him, making an unbeaten 78 from 93 balls with nine fours and a six, but the Goatacre total of 139 was inadaquate at best.

In reply, Kevin Iles removed Jamie and John Baden to hand the away side the bonus points they needed, but Paginton’s 83 not out gave Swindon victory on the day.

“It was very, very wet when we started and it was a good toss to win,” said Goatacre captain Craig Gibbens after the game.

“Batting first was always going to be tricky and 139 was never going to be enough.

“We made a pig’s ear of it really, although Jack Haines batted superbly for his 78 not out.

“It’s been a real coming of age for him in the last few weeks - Cheltenham and here at Swindon - but it was never going to be enough and we just needed to make sure we got the two wickets, which we did thanks to Kev.”