With Leominster based Dales CC an hour late to arrive in at Leominster Cricketing Arena, Goodrich CC Winter Sleighers took to the field against an excitable Shire Bulls side on Sunday.

Due to the inexplicable absence of James O'Brien stand-in Captain Griffiths won the toss but two balls later, found himself standing at the same end at batting partner Rutsch.

Griffiths had to go, and an over later he was joined back on the bench by Rutsch and Jarrett as Goodrich were reeling at 7 -3.

Fortunately stability came in the slightly worse-for-wear forms of Lowther (34no) and Tookey (39). Although showing all the maturity of Lowther's hair-line, runs were hard to come by for the pair and even with a late cameo from youngster Bosco Barnett the Sleighers could only muster a below par 94.

Such a score would always be hard to defend and without strike bowlers O'Brien and Andy Evans Goodrich struggled to make inroads. Wickets from Griffiths and Jarrett and a run out from Lowther gave the villagers hope but when Barnett was dubiously denied a late run out with the score on 74 the batsman survived to hit the winning runs in the final over.

The game against league leaders Dales CC took a different dynamic. Opener Lowther fell in the second over bringing Griffiths (50) to the crease and along with Rutsch (29no), the pair set about the Dales bowling attack in a style the Sleighers were much more accustomed to.

After the retirement of Rutsch, a couple of the run-outs brought Barnett (18) to the wicket and with some outstanding running, lent excellent support to his skipper to guide the Sleighers to 125-5 from their twelve overs.

Unfortunately this was as good as things got for Goodrich as an experienced Dales side found runs easy to come by and eased past the total within 10 overs.

The villagers retired to regroup for their next games in a fortnight's time when hopefully a more complete performance will see the Sleighers progress in their cup campaign.