ED Wilkins feels the weather might have something against Goatacre after his side’s latest rain-affected defeat in Premier Two.

The Goats were left frustrated after Keynsham were left chasing a revised target of 231 from 45 overs after a passing shower delayed play at the Frank Taylor Memorial Ground, despite the visitors posting a competitive 256-6 from their 50 overs earlier in the day.

As a result, Wilkins’s 49 and Ed Kilbee’s majestic 108 were both in vain, as Keynsham trotted to victory with 14 balls to spare.

It’s not the first time in recent seasons the elements have hindered Goatacre and Wilkins said afterwards: “It always seems to be the way for us - I can’t remember a game when the rain has helped us, it’s always gone against us.

“It was annoying. They’re a decent team, they’re up near the top of the table and to get 250 at their place left us thinking we had a good chance. It was a bit of a shame.

“We thought 250 would probably have been enough. We were fairly happy with that. Then a bit of rain came around teatime and it actually improved the pitch a fair bit. It seemed to help the ball come onto the bat and we were maybe one or two bowlers light.

“They got off to a good start and we were always trying to pull it round and it didn’t quite happen. Then the rain came again and we had no chance then. They needed 20 in six or seven overs and we were really struggling.”

Of Kilbee’s knock, Wilkins said: “It was really good having Ed back. On his day he’s a different class to most people in the league and he didn’t give a chance. They had four spinners, taking the pace off the ball, but he is so good he was never in any trouble.

“It was nice to carry on with a few more runs myself. I struggled in the first half of the season and the last four or five weeks it’s come together. It would have been nice to get the extra run to get another 50 but never mind.”