CRICKET: Just their Cup of tea
5:00pm Friday 6th July 2012 in Sport By Dan Barnes
GOATACRE captain Craig Gibbens hopes his side are on the brink of another great season after reaching the last 16 of the Yorkshire Tea Village Knockout Cup and going second in West of England Premier League Premier Two.
The villagers have managed two promotions in successive seasons and also have pedigree in the cup, lifting the trophy at Lord’s in 1988 and 1990.
Goatacre have bettered their progress in last year’s cup – they suffered a humiliating exit after being bowled out for just 26 by Shipton-under-Wychwood – after beating Devon & Cornwall group winners Stithians by seven wickets on Sunday.
“The cup really does have a special place in the club’s affinities,” said Gibbens.
“It was really good to make up for that horrible loss to Shipton last year and it’s just been a fantastic weekend for us.
“Every year you just think ‘this year can’t get any better than the last’ but it keeps on happening.
“No matter what happens from here, it’ll have been a brilliant achievement from us and you just never know what could happen in the second half of the season.”
Brad Dawson took three wickets in the cup win, Jack Haines smashing four fours and four sixes in a quickfire unbeaten 46.
Goatacre will play Hampshire’s Paultons Cricket Club on July 15.
Meanwhile, Wiltshire will have to try again in their MCCA Trophy semi-final against Staffordshire after Sunday’s clash in Leek was postponed.
The sides will meet again at the same venue on July 15, with Cumberland awaiting the winners in the final.
