After the previous week's two defeats, the Goodrich Cricket Club Winter Sleighers travelled up to Leominster last Sunday looking to get their Herefordshire Indoor League Campaign back on track.

Once again captain Sam Griffiths lost the toss and Dales 2nd elected to bat. The villagers squeezed the home side from the off and tight bowling from Jake Jarrett, Rufus Davies and Joe Griffiths, coupled with some tight fielding, resulted in four run outs. With Gary Leverton and Sam Griffiths picking up a wicket apiece, Dales were dismissed for a paltry 112. The reply did not start well for Goodrich as Joe Griffiths was run out without facing, however Sam (26*) and newcomer Adam McLarty (34*) got stuck into some wayward bowling, accelerating the run rate and both retiring without alarm. The Goodrich reply then wobbled, with first Jarrett then Davies being bowled looking to work the ball square. However McLarty returned to accompany Leverton, who struck an imperious six to win the game in style.

With no time to rest, the Sleighers turned straight round to face last year's winners Ludlow CC. A fantastic opening spell from Jake Jarrett made scoring nigh on impossible for the Shropshire side and to a man, Goodrich put their bodies on the line to save every run in the field. Excellent overs from Davies and Joe Griffiths followed and this pressure on the batsmen finally told as the Ludlow batsman towered the last ball of the innings into the roof, losing his side ten runs and giving Goodrich a target of only 121 for victory. The Griffiths brothers set the innings off at pace, both retiring on 25 within five overs. McLarty and Jarrett were then run out before Davies stepped to the plate, bludgeoning his way to retirement on 26 not out in only 6 balls in a fantastic display of controlled hitting. Sam Griffiths (33*) returned to accompany Gary Leverton, who once again hit the winning runs to give Goodrich victory with three overs to spare.

Goodrich now have a week off to nurse their bruises, however for any budding Sleighers out there, winter nets begin at 7.30 on Tuesday February 5th at the John Kyrle Sports Hall. All ages and abilities welcome.

For more stories in full please see this week's Ross Gazette.