Newly promoted Dales visited Goodrich at Hilltop Paradise for the first time in Marches League DIV 1 and were annihilated in what turned into the James O'Brien Show.

Goodrich batted first against some lively but varied bowling, losing Bradford early on, caught behind from a spitting away cutter (4-1). Andrew Brown and Sam Griffiths kept the score board ticking over, quickly notching up 40 runs, when Brown was bowled by one that kept lower than low (45-2).

Then to the crease came the golden boy having not long crawled from his sick bed. He dispatched his first ball for four with aplomb. Things were looking up for Goodrich when Griffiths left a ball that nipped back and nudged the bale from off stump (76-3).

The experienced Nigel Maddock joined O' Brien in the middle and together they built a solid partnership of 110 runs keeping the ship on course. It must be said, the O'Brien innings was sublime. His shots piercing the field regularly and caressing fours with the expert timing gifted to left handers. Maddock went next, bowled for 28 (180-4) then O'Brien soon after played on for 80.

With 10 overs left in the kitty, Goodrich were 185-5 with Rufus Davies and Andrew Evans new at the crease. Between them, with a combination of fours, sixes and quick singles they managed eight runs an over till Evans was caught skying one for 22 (255-6). Chris Tookey finished off the innings (7) with Davies undefeated on 41, with Goodrich posting a target of 261.

Tea was enjoyed by all, especially the freshly baked scones with jam and lashings of whipped cream. The Dales batsmen obviously appreciated the goodies provided by Sarah Evans and her tea ladies too much as their batsmen did not spend too many minutes at the crease batting before they returned to the Royston Young pavilion.

The cakes may have been one reason but the other was the blistering opening spell from James O'Brien. He ripped into the Dales openers, then through the middle order and then through the tail, with a combination of aggression and skill. When he didn't clean bowl them his team mates weighed in with a few catches leaving him with figures of 10 overs, three maidens and seven wickets for 20 runs.

At the other end injured Mark Bradford bowled 11 overs, six maidens, two for 17 which are great bowling statistics.

Last week Goodrich was missing three bowlers. This week they were all waiting in the wings to apply their trade but Bradford and O'Brien had managed to destroy the Dales line without them for only 37 runs.

The game was played in excellent spirit and whilst the teams joined after the match for some refreshment and banter the Man of the Match James O'Brien slipped back to his sick bed.