GOODRICH 1st XI finally started the league season on Saturday with a fixture at home against Kington. The avenue looked radiant in the spring sunshine and the Goodrich performance matched the weather. Goodrich batted first and after an early wicket N Maddox was joined by A Brown, where they shared a 59 run partnership.
The old adage of 'one wicket brings two' proved correct as both batsmen were dismissed with the score on 65. J O'Brien and E Pyatt scored steadily as did B Nixon. R Davies brought some impetus to the innings and M Evans, M Bradford and A Evans finished off the innings with 195 for 8. The pick of the Kington Bowlers was D Morgan picking up 3 wickets for 30 runs.
After both sets of players had enjoyed the highlight of any cricket match at Goodrich - the teas - Goodrich went out to field with a determined mind to complete a victory.
An early wicket for Bradford set the wheels in motion for this achievement. With tight bowling from Bradford and O'Brien the pressure built and wickets continued to fall to Bradford, who finished his spell of 12 overs with 3 wickets for 11 runs. Replacing Bradford and O'Brien were Davies and M Evans, who both bowled well and picked up wickets with Davies, the pick of the bowlers, picking up 4 wickets for 18 runs. Kington were dismissed for 105 in the 34th over giving a comprehensive victory to Goodrich.
With excellent fielding supporting the bowling, especially from R Lord and D Beddard, this was a great start to the season.