Goodrich CC 1st XI arrived at Berryfield to take on Woolhope CC on a grey and hazy July day. After trekking the mile and a half from the changing room to the square, Sam Griffiths won the toss and, too tired to return to get their batting kit, asked Woolhope to take to the crease.

The wicket showed very little distinction to the rest of the square and so, eying a bit of zip and nibble, the Goodrich opening pair of Bradford and O’Brien ran in with an attacking field setting looking to emulate the 36 all out that they had subjected Woolhope to earlier this season. After a brief flurry of runs, Bradford (12 overs 2-41) trapped both openers in front and the pair set about constricting the Woolhope middle order. At one stage, six overs passed without a run as ball beat the edges and thudded into the pads of the batsmen time and again.

With both Bradford and O’Brien finished, Tookey, Abell and Joe Provis moved in for the kill, however Goodrich had not reckoned on Woolhope’s star batsman, William Tanner who, after blunting the attack, took to flaying the South Herefordshire side to all corners.

His chanceless 114 was undoubtedly the best knock Goodrich had witnessed this season and almost single-handedly, he carried the score to a respectable 223 - 8 from Woolhope’s 45 overs.

Led by debutant Nye Morgan, Goodrich stuck to their task well in the field and despite the Hostelrie Inn Man-of-the-Match performance from Tanner, wickets fell late on and the total looked well in reach of Goodrich’s very strong batting line-up.

When Sam Griffiths lashed 10 from the first over of the Goodrich reply, the tone was set for a clinical chase. A opening stand of 90 between Griffiths and Tookey (40) was followed by a rapid fire 16 from Rory Jackson to carry Goodrich to 133 -2 from 25 overs.

Vice-captain O’Brien then strode to the wicket to celebrate his 27th birthday in style. With an array of stylish drives, flicks and cuts, captain and vice hammered the final 93 runs off just 13 overs to canter past the finishing post, with Griffiths carrying his bat for 87 not out and Obrien (50 not out) notching up his first half century of the season.

With leaders Kington outgunned at Crickhowell, the 24 point win hoists Goodrich back to within a point of the league leaders in what is set to be the most exciting finish to the Marches League in some years.