POTTERNE skipper Neil Clark admitted he was taken aback by his side’s crushing victory over Premier Two county rivals Goatacre last weekend.

After posting 202, Potterne saw Brad Dawson’s side suffer a spectacular collapse at Bishops Cannings, with Goatacre, who had seven players register ducks, skittled for just 66.

The visitors also included first-class talent in their line-up in the form of Hampshire duo Liam Dawson and Matt Coles, giving Clark even more cause for surprise.

“They had two pros in their side so we were expecting a really tough game – we were pretty happy with our score but Ben (Mason) got hit for 17 in his first over and I thought ‘here we go’,” said the Potterne skipper.

“I told Josh (De Souza) to warm up but we kept Ben in there and he ended the day with three wickets.

“I think Goatacre might have been expecting a different scoreline to what they got to be honest and I was a bit shocked at what happened – it’s an excellent result for us.”

James Hendrickson weighed in with 46 whilst Jack Bramwell made 30 for Potterne, who were skittled for 202 with the final ball of their innings, with Hampshire man Coles taking 4-33.

But Liam Dawson (26 not out) and Ed Kilbee (11) were the only Goatacre batsmen to offer up any real resistance as the visitors crumbled.

Mason (3-3) and De Souza (5-32) the standout bowlers as the visitors were dispatched in just 21 overs.

Goatacre captain Brad Dawson is back Potterne to challenge for the title this season.

He said: “Seven ducks is pretty embarrassing. Batting-wise, I just said in the changing room afterwards that we’ve just got to laugh about it.

“You can’t really say much when you get bowled out for 60-odd. I think Potterne will do very well – I think they could easily go top three or win it.”

Goatacre received a bye to the Dorset and Wiltshire quarter-finals of the National Village Knockout Cup after Shroton failed to raise a side for Sunday’s first round clash.

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