LECHLADE conjured up a spell of pure magic in the National Village Knockout last weekend with their surprise defeat of the mighty Goatacre.

The local side travelled to Goatacre on Sunday full of confidence and on the back of some good league form, even though the hosts are two divisions above them in Wilts & Glos Division 1.

After losing the toss on a day when rain was expected, the visitors took to the field keen to show their old league opponents from a few seasons ago what they could do.

But as previous winners of the Village Knockout, Goatacre were the all too obvious favourites.

Nonetheless, all the Lechlade bowlers worked hard on a high-scoring ground to keep up the pressure on their hosts for as long as they could.

For the hosts, opener Steve Lines followed a 50 in the previous round with 60 while Steve Curwood (63) and Kevin Iles (57) all kept the scoring rate ticking along before the innings closed on 213 from their 40 overs.

However, having scored over 280 in a recent league match, Lechlade felt that the total wasn't beyond them.

In light drizzle, Roger and Anthony Pettifer set out the task in the knowledge that wickets in hand and the run rate, in case of rain, was likely to be crucial.

Anthony got things going with a quick 20 while Roger mixed defence and attack when possible to build a platform for the team to benefit from.

With wickets in hand, 53no by the flamboyant Ejaz Khan and Roger's steadily-made 78 brought Lechlade a well deserved seven-wicket win in the 37th over.

Lechlade will now play the winners of Avebury v Bidde-stone in the Wiltshire final in a fortnight's time in another tie that may well give skipper Paul Rowley a few sleepless nights!