ON Friday it rained cats, dogs, frogs and locusts so on Saturday morning, the ground staff went to work in a Herculean effort to make sure Goodrich CC’s Marches League Division 1 game against Dales CC went ahead as planned.

With showers forecast throughout the afternoon, the villagers knew that what would usually be one of the easier games this season could easily take unexpected turns. And so it proved.

Losing the toss and inserted to bat, an excellent opening spell of off spin from Ian Jones (12 overs 2 for 7), coupled with a wet wicket, left Goodrich struggling at 59-4.

Joes Provis and Griffiths steadily rebuilt, putting on 70 for the 5th wicket before one kept low and Griffiths chopped on for 27.

With a platform set the heavens opened and the sides took an early tea. Time was lost but when the sun re-emerged, Provis marshalled the Goodrich tail to a final total of 162. His unbeaten 65 was a phenomenal display in the context of the game.

The umpires consulted Duckworth-Lewis and it was decided that 128 runs were needed from 33 overs for Dales to achieve victory and a massive upset.

Unfortunately for the Leominster side, Duckworth-Lewis did not factor in the skill of the bowling attack they were facing. Bradford (8 overs 2-27) struck in the first over to remove Jack Rowsell but a few swipes and edges found gaps and at 29-1 after six overs the game hung in the balance.

On cue, everything clicked for Goodrich. O’Brien (8 overs 2-17) enticed the pull from Batson, which was well plucked at mid-wicket by Matty Davies and from there on Goodrich ran riot.

With the openers bowled out, Chris Tookey (6 overs 2-11) and Joe Provis (5 overs 3-2) followed up with swing and seam and pace and bounce to rout the North Herefordshire side for 57 and give Goodrich the win to move them 12 points clear at the top of the table. GB Liners Man of the Match was scooped up by Provis for a truly match winning all-round display.

With five games left, the pressure has now shifted back onto the chasing pack as Goodrich press into the last five games with eyes on their second title in three years.