GOATACRE captain Ed Wilkins’ decision not to go with his heart paid off as his side booked a place in the last 32 of the National Village Cup in bizarre circumstances.

With the wet weather calling a halt to proceedings in the opening skirmishes of Sunday’s match at Parley and ruling out any more play for the rest of the day, the toss of a coin was required to decide the winner.

However, it would not be a traditional piece of loose change that determined the fates of the sides as instead, Wilkins had to rest his hopes on either a heart or a dolphin.

“It was frustrating but it would have been even more frustrating if we’d gone all that way and lost in that manner,” said Wilkins.

“We got about 10 overs in but then the rain came and it was clear that it was going to stay for the rest of the day.

“We talked about having a bowl-off, or even a penalty shoot-out, but in the end, me and their captain said ‘let’s just get on with it’.

“The umpire was the only person to have a coin and I think it was some sort of weird Irish one. It had a heart on one side and a dolphin on the other.

“I went with the dolphin and luckily, it came out right for us – it’s my new favourite animal now.

“We’re pleased because we really wanted to win that game but to do it like that isn’t how we wanted to do it.”

Goatacre travel to Somerset side Timsbury this Sunday, with a place in the last 16 up for grabs.

Having got within one victory of another final at Lord’s 12 months ago, only to lose at Cambridgeshire side Foxton in the semi-finals, Wilkins is eager to go at least one better this summer.

“We are into the last 32 now and we have Timsbury, who will be a good side – everyone is at this stage,” added Wilkins.

“This competition means a lot to the club but with the way the draw is, if we are to get to Lord’s, every game is away from home, which is a bit disappointing.

“We feel we have a decent chance and having got so close last year, we would love to try to get to Lord’s again.”