AT last, Frocester returned to dominant form, defeating Goatacre by eight wickets at Pounds Close to make it three wins in a row in Premier Two Glos/Wilts , writes Eric Woodmason.

Uzi Qureshi won the toss and invited the visitors to bat on a pitch with a good covering of grass. It proved a good decision as Jack Worgan captured a wicket with his first delivery.

Chris Liddle soon replaced Andy Solomons as Goatacre recovered to 60-1, but then stuttered to 66-4 with Worgan taking a second wicket and Liddle and Richie Cave taking a wicket each. Again the visitors recovered to 155-6, but a crucial run out with a great direct hit from Jack Worgan knocked the stuffing out of the Goatacre fight-back and they subsided to 170 all out with Alex Russell bowling a good spell of 2-29 and Andy Solomons (2-22) finishing off the tail.

Goatacre knew this was nowhere near enough runs and opened the bowling with a leg spinner and, after 10 overs had already used 5 bowlers. By this time the total had reached 58 without loss as Callum Gegg and Uzi Qureshi batted in positive style.

Qureshi was caught at extra cover for 30 with the total at 75 from 14 overs and the game was virtually over as a contest. Chris Liddle, batting at three, added 77 for the 2nd wicket with Callum Gegg, who eventually fell for an aggressive 77, which included 10 fours and two sixes. Frocester reached the required total in 31 overs, with Liddle finishing with a fine 35 not out, whilst Will Naish struck two huge sixes to finish the match.

Frocester are at home to top-of-the-table Chippenham next week, but can approach this crucial encounter with some confidence.