DEFENDING just 101 in 45 overs against a traditionally strong Winsley side in the pouring rain, Goatacre left themselves too steep a mountain to climb as they slipped to a nine-wicket loss in Wilts One on Saturday.

Only three Goatacre batsmen made it into double figures, and of them opener Jack Haines provided any real resistance, as the hosts were bundled out having hit a century in only 26.3 overs.

Haines’ 36 was a sterling effort, considering the swing and lateral movement obtained by a precise Winsley attack in overcast conditions, and he and partner Brad Dawson fumbled their way to 21 before the wickets began to fall faster than leaves in autumn to the consistent line and length of Josh Rurawhe.

After the dismissal of Dawson, Luke Edwards, Kevin Iles and Mike Elton were beaten by Rurawhe’s precision.

All three fell lbw to the seamer, who ended with impressive figures of 5-30 from eight overs.

Wicketkeeper Sam Parish suggested some of his teammates felt hard done by by the umpires’ decisions, but refused to use that as an excuse for an inadequate batting performance.

“We lost our numbers three, four and five all lbw in the space of five balls, and that really rips the heart out of a side,” he said.

“A couple of the guys were unhappy with their decisions but a lot of us didn’t take responsibility when we found ourselves in that situation.

“It was swinging around a bit and moving off the pitch, but we should have shown little more resolve.”

With such a small score in the bank, Winsley had the opportunity to slowly negotiate their way to victory, but with two rain intervals interrupting play, it was left to Charlie Holton and Mark Williams to open their shoulders and plunder quick runs before the heavens opened.

Parish revealed his side were less than pleased at being told to resume play whilst the rain was still falling and is praying the heavens are a little more favourable on his side as the campaign gathers steam in the coming weeks.

“When we came back out the second time, in the rain, we didn’t apply ourselves properly,” he said.

“That might come at having to go out while it’s still raining, which we have never had to do before, but the attitude wasn’t quite right.

“It was very disappointing, we just hope the weather brightens up soon.”