Goodrich played Woolhope at home over the uncharacteristically fine
bank holiday weekend.
Both sets of players were keen to don the whites after the previous
weekend's washout. 'The Avenue', with its panoramic views over the
surrounding countryside, proved the perfect setting for the
afternoon's entertainment.
The toss was won Andrew Brown who elected to let his bowlers loose on
the Woolhope line up.
Results were immediate as Mark Bradford trapped the Woolhope opening
batsman LBW with the first ball of the innings. Further wickets from
Bradford (3 for 34) and Mike Evans (1 for 42) and tight fielding led
by Roger "the Cat" Lord had Woolhope struggling at 80 for 3 off 30
overs.
However, with Slocombe (76 no) still hanging around, and being joined
by C Watts (39 no), Woolhope soon remembered that they were playing a
shorter version of the game and despatching the ball over the rope
became a hobby. A few giant blows eventually got Woolhope up to 182
for 4 off their 45 overs.
In response Goodrich lost two early wickets, but this only served to
bring Goodrich captain Andy Brown (79) to the crease who bludgeoned
the Woolhope attack into submission, so much so, that a Woolhope
bowler overdid his 'no-ball' variation and stormed from the field.
Brown was well supported by Samuel "Long Hop" Griffiths with 25. In
spite of a few late wickets to make the run chase a little
uncomfortable, 28 not out from James O'Brien saw Goodrich home with
plenty of overs to spare and 4 wickets remaining.
Goodrich hope to avenge their Marches Cup Final defeat against
Crickhowell back in April, hosting them next week at The Avenue.