GCC Indoor League Match Reports

Goresbrook clinched a third successive runners-up spot in the Havering Indoor league with a hard fought victory over Upminster's 2nd string. Upminster A had regained their crown earlier with a comfortable victory over Ardleigh Green, so Brook knew that a win would leave them tied with Seven Kings in 2nd place, with Brook's win over Seven Kings in week 1 giving them the tie-break advantage. Desperate to win the toss due to the late arrival of ever-present Richard Williams, who was en route in a cab at 5:30, Brook skipper Dave Whisker duly completed a clean sweep of 7 lost tosses (odds 127/1), however fortune favoured him this time as Upminster skipper Nicky Ison elected to bowl. Goresbrook then produced their most convincing batting display of the season as both openers Toby Maund (quickly) and Kurt Whisker (more sedately) retired after hitting 25. The first wicket finally fell at 48 with Darren Robinson hitting 8, which left the stage set for some frantic running from the lower order. Michael Rooke (10), Dave Whisker (7not out) and Richard Williams (5) all chipping in, with Maund returning to take his score onto 31 not out as Goresbrook posted a season high 90 for 4 in their 12 overs.

That score looked about 40 short after the first over unfortunately as Essex Academy prospect Alan Ison came out with the intention of retiring in the first over and only narrowly failed after dispatching Williams for 16 including 2 comprehensive sixes. Kurt Whisker fared better, only disappearing for one maximum, but when Ison planted a full Michael Rooke delivery against the back wall in the third over, he had reached his 25 runs in just 10 balls faced.
Goresbrook then dug in however and a tight spell of pacy spin from Toby Maund went for just 5 runs with 1 wicket as Upminster reached the mid-point at 45 for 1. Rooke also picked up the wicket of McInally courtesy of a sharp catch up to the stumps from Robinson and when Williams took a caught and bowled to dismiss one Hammond brother and Kurt Whisker affected a sharp run out to dismiss the other, Goresbrook were on top at 53 for 4 with just 4 overs remaining. Unfortunately the 4th wicket brought Alan Ison back to the crease to join brother Nicky and he carried on where he left off, taking Rooke apart in his final over to leave just 17 required from the final two. Short balls at Kurt Whisker's pace were about the only thing not liable to be hit for six at this stage and fortunately Whisker produced a few in a sterling 11th over to leave 11 required from the last with Williams set to bowl to Alan Ison again and Upminster looking the favourites.

The big Yorkshireman is made of stern stuff however and he produced a succession of leg stump Yorkers or low full tosses that Ison could only dig out, or drill into the side wall. With a couple of runs scrambled and a wall hit, Upminster arrived at the last ball needing six to win or four to tie, but Ison could only find the side wall and Goresbrook escaped with a 3 run victory, Ison finishing with a superb 56 not out. Goresbrook 90 for 3 beat Upminster 87 for 4 by 3 runs.

Goresbrook's B side were looking to make it five out of five wins in Sunday's game against Ardleigh Green, and they did not disappoint. 'Brook lost the toss and were put in to bat with Craig Ivey and skipper Tommy Puncher getting them off to a good start going at 8 runs an over before Ivey fell for 11, caught at point. Toby Maund then came out but did not last long scoring 2 before being run out by an excellent piece of fielding. Mark Bird joined Puncher at the crease and the pair added a few more runs before Puncher was caught at point. Mike Rooke next at the crease hit the walls from the start, adding to 'Brook's total before being run out on 12. Dave Whisker scored 5 before he was run out leaving Bird to score as many as he could. With few overs left, Bird hit 32 good runs in his innings before he was run out in the last over, 'Brook finishing all out for 82 in 11.4 overs. After the turnaround, the 'Brook bowlers never let Ardleigh Green get off to a start with only a few runs coming off the first couple of overs. Whisker and Rooke kept the ball in good areas, with Whisker taking two wickets in his 3 overs going for only 2 runs, and Rooke picked up one wicket for 8 runs off 3 overs. Maund, Bird and Puncher bowled two overs each with Maund and Bird failing to pick up a wicket and going for 20 runs. At which point skipper Puncher finished the game taking three wickets for just 1 run leaving Ardleigh Green 34 all out off 11.4 overs, 'Brook winners by 48 runs. Goresbrook 82 all out beat Ardleigh Green 34 all out by 48 runs.

Goresbrook A snatched defeat from the jaws of victory and then grabbed the victory back again in the final over of an extraordinary game in Havering Indoor League Division 1. The 3rd and 4th placed sides in the top Division combining for 49 runs as the cold conditions produced a bouncy white ball, which both sides consistently put in the right areas, and to be fair some pretty indifferent strokes were played by both batting lineups.

After winning the toss, Ardleigh Green elected to bat and they were soon under pressure from some accurate bowling from Richard Williams and some pacier but erratic offerings from Kurt Whisker. Williams stuck first, hitting an awkward length on his way to 1 for 4 from 2 overs, his second over being a wicket maiden after Chris Cook's attempted drive ballooned off the wall to skipper Dave Whisker. Kurt Whisker followed up with the second wicket courtesy of a sharp catch from stand in keeper Toby Maund, whose reflexes behind the stumps possibly surpassed regular keeper Robbo's, although the less said about his stumping efforts up to the wicket to the spinner the better. Other than the fact that Inspector Gadget would have struggled to whip the bails off from 5 yards behind the stumps...

With Whisker taking 1 for 11 off 3 overs and conceding the only 2 extras of the innings courtesy of a trademark beamer and a bouncer short of the mat, it was a very disciplined Goresbrook performance, which only got better as Lawrence Walsh took advantage of the bouncing ball. The veteran Springsteen afficionado produced an unplayable spell largely consisting of leg breaks that bounced and beat the batsman all ends up. Walsh showed Brilliant Disguise as he reprised his Glory Days, taking a caught and bowled and then clean bowling a victim providing Living Proof that spin is the future indoors, as he finished with 2 for 7 from his 3 overs. The surprise package was left arm medium pacer Michael Rooke who was making his A Team debut for the season. The gangly 17 year old seamer produced a superb spell using his height and deceptive lack of pace to bamboozle the Green batsmen. Rooke wrapped up the innings with a salvo of 2 for 2 as his awkward angle was a compliment to the other front line bowlers, Green being rushed out for 24 in less than 10 overs.

In reply, with the pressure apparently off, Goresbrook produced a batting display that had veteran observers Tony Clark and Dave Leadbetter shaking their heads in dismay and skipper Dave Whisker unable to watch the carnage as he was drafting his resignation letter. Toby Maund (2) was perhaps the only batsman with an excuse as his fine leg glance was well held by keeper Cason, which given later events could be considered bad luck. However Kurt Whisker's airy waft outside off stump gave a regulation catch behind for a duck and Lawrence Walsh saw all 3 stumps rearranged for 1, presumably he was temporarily Blinded by the Light as he played all round a straight one. Michael Rooke then clipped a leading edge to point to depart for 2 to leave Brook reeling at 8 for 4 after just 5 overs. At that stage, Goresbrook's hopes rested with virtually suicidal skipper Whisker and lumbering paceman Williams, whose response to the pressure of requiring one off the last over of the first game of the season was to play 4 dot balls and then dash down the pitch to be stumped. However the cricketing gods appeared to be on Goresbrook's side this time, as in an incredible 7th over, Dave Whisker was dropped 3 times by the keeper alone as his stand and deliver approach delivered a succession of edges into the firm hands of the Green gloveman which then usually rebounded onto the back wall.

With Brook inching towards their target in singles, Whisker appeared to have finally struck a decisive blow as he middled one straight back above the umpire's head for what would have been a much needed six......had the bowler not leapt to take the return catch. That left Williams requiring 10 off the final 3 overs as last man standing, a chase he kicked off with a wild drive and thick edge that once again the keeper spilled. That reprieve was one too many for Green, as Williams played the walls expertly and then stole a single off the third ball of the final over to tie the scores. The fourth ball was a full toss that was firmly clipped to the square leg wall to leave Williams unbeaten on 13 and complete Goresbrook's limp home for a one wicket success that sees them leapfrog Green into third place.

Both Upminster and Seven Kings won to maintain a seven point margin over Brook in third and whilst it is conceivable that one side might slip up in their remaining 2 games, for both to do so would be unlikely, therefore a second Havering League title seems likely to elude Goresbrook this year, largely due as ever to erratic batting performances. Goresbrook 25 for 5 beat Ardleigh Green 24 all out by 1 wkt.

Goresbrook skipper Tommy Puncher lost the toss and was put in to field. Mike Rooke opened the bowling and along with Brian Atkins the two bowled well both picking up a wicket each and a run out. Both bowlers and the field were making it hard for the the batsmen to score runs. After their alloted three overs each, Toby Maund and Puncher came on and were still looking to put the pressure on the batsmen. Toby picked up a wicket and Puncher managed a run out, bringing on Mark Bird to bowl in his come-back to indoor cricket. Bird picked up one wicket for very few runs leaving South Woodford on 48 all out after 12 overs.

Goresbrook's batting had been good in their first three games, and was now to be tested as in the second over Puncher was run out for 4 trying to take a quick single. Mark Bird next in, and Craig Irving, were looking to hit the walls and then Craig was brilliantly caught for 5 trying to hit the back wall. Maund was next up to the crease hitting the wall and a couple of singles, before going forward to a ball which hit him on the pads. Umpire Tony Clarke's finger was up in a flash, Maund not pleased with the decision going for 5. With the score now at 18 for 3 and Goresbrook in all sorts of trouble Brian Atkins and Mark Bird settled the nerves and were moving along nicely before Atkins was bowled for 4, bringing Rooke to the crease the score now at 25 for 4. Bird continued his scoring spell before being bowled for 14 leaving 20 runs for Rooke to seek. With a set of measured strokes Rooke did a brilliant job to get the 20 runs required to finish 11 not out, with the help of a just a few fielding errors. Goresbrook 49 for 5 beat Sth Woodford 48 all out by 1 wkt.

Goresbrook eased their relegation worries as they overcame local rivals and Indoor bogey team Chadwell Heath with their first convincing batting display of the season. With stand in skipper Dave Whisker under pressure from impatient supporters and Director of Indoor Cricket Scott Barwick, the sage of Dagenham Avenue made a bold selection for this crucial game. Whisker retained the services of B Team star Toby Maund, rushed back spinning all-rounder Lawrence Walsh from his golf inflicted wrist injury and axed Paul “The Pidgeon” Atkins as he sought to lengthen the batting, which has proved a problem area for ‘Brook this season. Whisker’s selection appeared vindicated as son Kurt and Maund provided the stable start that Goresbrook have lacked this season. Although initially circumspect against the spin of Tony Gallagher and the medium pace of Jarrold, the youthful pair were soon into their running stride. A raised eyebrow here, a nod of the head there and they were through for a single without so much as a yes, no, wait. Whisker stroked a typically stylish 24, before top edging a catch to keeper Larke to leave Brook on 44 for 1.

Robinson then strode to the crease looking to maintain his 100% record of hitting a six off Heath paceman Mickey Evans, maybe this time even hitting one of the middle of the bat, rather than off the splice. Remarkably, Robinson succeeded, his only scoring stroke being a meaty straight drive off the Aussie before in the next over Maund looked to pinch a single to the one man on the Heath side you shouldn’t take on. Evans picking up and flipping a throw to the keeper as Robinson laboured mid-pitch. 54 for 2 became 58 for 3 as Maund drilled a catch to Evans at mid-on to depart for 22, and with 3 overs remaining, Brook’s innings required a calm head to guide it home. Unfortunately, Richard Williams was next up, having presumably over-dosed on the Red Bulls, and the lumbering paceman produced an unusually frantic knock. No single was too sharp for Williams as he sought to either tip and run, or smash the ball through the back wall. This tactic paid dividends, as the score advanced to 67 in the penultimate over before Williams hammered a Steve Lugg delivery into the ceiling and took off for a single on the basis that the ball usually bounces erratically off the beams. Bounce erratically it did, back of the ceiling at 100mph, straight down, and then with a hint of check side straight to Mickey Evans, leaving the veteran Walsh with an impossible task to get home.

With Williams being instructed to take wickets after Atkins demotion, the Yorkshireman presumably took his Captain’s guidance to heart, as he accounted for another couple of dismissals in the final over, running himself out with an ambitious call to cover and then running himself out again when running with Whisker, as a leg bye straight to Gallagher in the corner off the penultimate ball proved a couple of yards too far. In between the Mark Bird like running, the scoreboard ticked over at a rate of knots however, Goresbrook closing on 79, Williams with 9 and Walsh with 8 adding to the openers’ sterling work.

In reply, Heath sent out Mickey Evans to swing the bat and Steve Lugg to accumulate in the hope of setting a foundation to chase the runs. This tactic worked well for a couple of overs, as Kurt Whisker fluctuated between very short and very full and Williams settled into his usual consistent length, although unfortunately that length was one that Evans habitually throws the bat at and dispatches somewhere towards Romford. However, once Whisker found his length in the second over, Goresbrook were in the ascendancy. He bowled Evans and then a fine one handed catch from Maund took out Barnes for a duck leaving Heath on 14 for 2. Whisker bowled through with a fine spell of 3 overs 2 for 7 and with Williams going for 11 off 2 overs, Heath were behind the scoring rate as Goresbrook turned to spin with Walsh and Maund bowling in tandem. Heath threatened a revival as Gallagher and Lugg came together, but once Gallagher top edged a sweep which was gratefully held by Williams (who had put down two catches already) behind square, the writing was on the wall. Lugg struck Walsh for his traditional six, before advancing down once too often to be stumped by Robinson for 16 and then the mature tweaker picked up his 3^rd wicket courtesy of a superb catch off the back wall from Robinson to dismiss Larke, Walsh closing with 3 for 25.

All that remained was for Goresbrook to take the last wicket and with Heath’s running bordering on the kamikaze by this stage, a run out seemed on the cards. Fortunately for Brook, they still had 40 runs to play with, as Williams spurned the first opportunity with a casual lob from the corner that wouldn’t have beaten an overweight tortoise with a sore leg over 22 yards. Walsh then produced a casual underarm throw that Bridge, or even a man as tall as Bridge with some coordination, would have struggled to reach up to pluck out of the air, before at the third time of asking, the Jonty Rhodes of the leg side corner finally picked up and threw back to the bowler to take the final wicket, Heath being dismissed for 49. Goresbrook’s victory takes them to 33 points, tucked in in 4^th place, 7 points behind joint leaders Upminster and Seven Kings, with an 18 point cushion above Heath in the 2^nd relegation spot. One more victory is required to confirm 1^st Division status for next season and title hopes are not yet quite extinguished after Seven Kings shock win over Upminster. In other results, Brook’s next opponents Ardleigh Green kept up the pressure on the leaders with a 4 wicket win over Upminster B and Hornchurch tied with M&B. Goresbrook A 79 all out beat Chadwell Heath A 49 all out by 30 runs.

Goresbrook slumped to a second defeat of the season as reigning champions Upminster fought back to dismiss the last four Goresbrook batsmen for just 7 runs. The pace of Curtis and Ison proved too much for a long Goresbrook tail, who in the absence of the lunching Lawrence Walsh, couldn’t capitalise on a promising position at 47 for 2 off 6 overs and were blown away by a hail of pacy Yorkers.

Earlier, Kurt Whisker proved the pick of the bowlers as Brook stuck to their task well against the aggressive Upminster batting line up. Whisker picked up 2 wickets in successive balls in his opening over, and returned to clean up Upminster skipper Peck for a return of 3 for 12. He was well supported by father Dave 1 for 10 off 2 overs and none of Williams, Atkins and Maund (who went for 15, 17 and 18 off 2 overs respectively) bowled poorly, but all conceded boundaries as the Upminster batsmen looked for the back wall on every occasion. Unfortunately for Brook, the fielding wasn’t of the usual standard and with four catches going down and a simple run out blown, a score of 75 could easily have been 50, especially if the dangerous Alan Ison, who made 31, had been held with either of the two chances he drilled at mid-off. Kurt Whisker ran Ison out smartly from mid-on and also held a rebound off the wall, but it never bodes well for Goresbrook when the sharpest fielder was Williams hidden away round the corner, who took 2 catches.

In reply, Brook started positively with Robinson looking in good touch before he fell to an agile one handed catch by Peck at gully. However Kurt Whisker and A Team debutant Toby Maund played positively and picked up numerous sharp singles to leave Brook well ahead of the required rate. Unfortunately, after 4 overs Peck put his left arm darts back in the cupboard and introduced his pacemen Curtis and Ison, which brought immediate dividends as Whisker was immediately yorked by one that (true to usual form when he gets bowled) apparently swung prodigiously and so late that it was unplayable. Whisker departed for 20, but Maund and the unorthodox Paul Atkins moved the score onto 47 for 2 at the halfway stage with a mixture of leg byes and inside edges. When Atkins was finally bowled after several near misses, Williams lasted only 2 balls before being pinned by a quick full delivery to bring up a calendar year hat-trick of lbw decisions from Deadly Dave Leadbetter. All hopes now rested with Maund, but he was struggling to get the bowling away and when he departed playing round the last delivery of Ison’s spell, Goresbrook were finished. The only question remaining was how long it would take Curtis to find a Yorker for Dave Whisker and nobody in the hall had to wait long for an answer as Whisker was blown up first ball, to leave Upminster the victors by 20 runs. Goresbrook’s next game on January 13 against Chadwell Heath is now a must win if a relegation battle is to be avoided, as both Goresbrook sides probably require another couple of wins if they are to clash in the top Division next season. Upminster 75 all out beat Goresbrook 55 all out by 20 runs.

Goresbrook's second string started the season with two wins and were looking for a third against South Woodford on Sunday. Skipper Tommy Puncher won the toss and elected to bowl, with 'Matchplay' Brian dropping out of the game, in came Kurt Whisker as a replacement. Michael Rooke opened the bowling with three good overs going for just 17 and picking up one wicket. Kurt Whisker's opening spell saw just 12 runs off his 3 overs also picking up a wicket, all of which kept Woodford on the back foot. Some outstanding fielding from everyone kept the Woodford score down, whilst Toby Maund came on to pick up a wicket with his first ball then go on to make it a maiden. He finished up on 3 overs, 1 maiden, 1 for 17. The fourth bowler Tommy Puncher whose first two overs went for just 8 runs, also picked up 2 wickets then had the last over to bowl. Woodford were on 56 for 5 as Tommy began the final over. It became the worst and the longest over bowled of his young career. 38 runs were plundered off that one over, letting Woodford back into the game finishing on 94 for 5 from their 12 overs.

Goresbrook were not down-hearted (apart from maybe Tommy!) and looked to take on the Woodford bowlers with Craig Ivey and Mark Bird opening the batting. At 3 runs from the first two overs, and with the run rate at 10 an over, Bird was caught for 3, bringing Toby Maund to the crease. Maund carried on his destructive role hitting the first ball for 6 then, with Ivey, began to run rings round the Woodford fielders making a 50 run partnership and both retiring at 25 each. This brought Whisker and Rooke to the crease, where the former was run out on 3 with the score on 63 for 2 from 7 overs. Puncher joined Rooke at the wicket and both applied pressure on the fielders by running every run available got the score to 88 for 2 from 10 overs. Needing 7 runs from the last two overs, and with one fielder on the leg side, it made matters a little easy to score the few runs needed and see them through with only 2 wickets down. Overall Woodford helped with the runs, giving away 17 extras as no-balls and over-throws. Skipper Puncher commented after the game; "Well done to all the lads. Some good bowling, myself excepted, and good fielding from everyone and top quality batting all round". "We look forward to the South Woodford 'B' game after Christmas and to carry on our good performance". Goresbrook 95 for 2 beat Sth Woodford 94 for 5 by 4 wkts.

It was a second successive win for Goresbrook's B team against a strong Navestock side this weekend. Goresbrook lost the toss and were put in to bat with Craig Irving falling in the first over for just 1 run, putting them firmly on the back foot. That brought Toby Maund into play, and with some fine running between him and Tommy Puncher, and some big hitting from Maund, took the score to 46 from 5 overs. Maund retired upon reaching 25 runs, bringing Adam Ivy on for his first game of the season after a shoulder injury a couple of weeks ago. Adam soon fell for 3 having been run out, then Puncher fell for 13 to a poor decision bringing Michael Rooke and Bryan Atkins to the crease. Rooke failed to hit the wall then got bowled for a duck, whilst Atkins hit 3 then got caught. This brought Maund back on to score 11 more runs finishing up on 36 at the close of play with Goresbrook 68 all out after 10 overs. After the interval, Goresbrook got off to a good start with Rooke and Maund getting a quick wicket each. Tight bowling but consistent scoring saw Navestock eventually requiring 30 runs from the last 5 overs, however Goresbrook never give up without a fight. Atkins grabbed 2 wickets with with some accurate spin bowling and Ivey, with some surprisingly good line and length, took one wicket and a run out leaving Navestock at 63 all out after 11 overs. Goresbrook 68 all out beat Navestock 63 all out by 5 runs.

The great Indoor entertainers Goresbrook A took their second successive game in Havering League Division One down to the wire, however Paul Atkins was unable to repeat his last ball heroics from the previous game against Seven Kings, as requiring 12 from the final over, and 2 to win from the final ball, Hornchurch all-rounder Dean Skipper scrambled a 2 as Kurt Whisker was unable to gather cleanly at mid-on, the non-striker making his ground by inches to beat Whisker’s throw.

The root cause of Goresbrook’s defeat was undoubtedly a poor batting performance, as after a slow start against some accurate bowling, Darren Robinson eventually spooned a catch to depart for 2, and Lawrence Walsh followed in identical fashion for 8. Richard Williams was soon tied up by some extravagant turn and bounce from spinner Mark Whitlock, and he chipped a catch to mid-off after just 3 runs to leave ‘Brook in trouble. The only significant partnership of the innings followed between the Whisker family, Kurt looking solid as he retired for 25 and Dave looking less so, as he hit 5. After Kurt retired off the final ball of the 11^th over with the score on 60, disaster struck as Paul Atkins ran himself out first ball, as he charged down the pitch, trod on the ball and failed comfortably to recover his ground. Kurt Whisker was then run out on the first ball of his return at the bowlers end after an aggressive call by his father and then Dave Whisker was bowled by Whitlock next ball, Goresbrook’s final 3 wickets falling in successive balls, as the innings closed on 61, always a borderline score in the tight confines of the St Edwards gym. Whitlock was the pick of the bowling with an excellent 3 for 10.

In reply, Hornchurch started by picking off singles to stay up with the rate, with only the loss of Benson, yorked by Williams affecting their chase. However the introduction of Lawrence Walsh saw a couple of quick wickets, one to an excellent catch off the back wall by keeper Robinson to keep the game in the balance. After Walsh completed a tidy spell of 2 for 12, Hornchurch required 22 from the final 3 overs with 3 wickets in hand. However a typically tight over from Williams, who finished with 1 for 9 from his 3 overs left 19 still to be scored from the final 2. Whisker then took the crucial wicket of the Hornchurch opener (who had batted throughout the innings), to finish with 1 for 16 which left 12 required off the last over, with 2 wickets remaining. With Dave Whisker having bowled 1 over for 5 and Atkins having bowled 1 over for 7, the ‘Brook skipper had a choice of medium pacer to bowl the final over, and he went with the younger man. Unfortunately however, Atkins strayed on the full side and was despatched for 4 by Hornchurch’s number 6, before a run out left only last man Skipper between Goresbrook and victory. However, Skipper hit the wall a couple of times and then scrambled a 3 off the penultimate ball to leave 2 required off the last, a target that he achieved courtesy of a firm prod on the leg side and a sprinted single.

Goresbrook’s only consolation was a maximum losing 5 bonus point haul, which combined with Seven Kings victory over Ardleigh Green and Upminster A’s defeat of Upminster B, leaves the Dagenham side in second place in the league behind Upminster A, who are Goresbrook’s next opponents in a month’s time. The final game in Division 1 saw Chadwell Heath pick up 12 points in a walkover against M&B. Hornchurch 62 for 5 beat Goresbrook 61 all out by 1 wkt.

Goresbrook's B side began this season as they finished the last campaign - with an emphatic win. The less experienced Goresbrook indoor side found life tough in the early stages of last season but bounced back wonderfully to gain promotion. This season began on Sunday in the reduced sized hall at St Edwards School against a Harold Wood A side who had posed Brook's A side with many a problem in the past.

The day started badly as Adam Ivey pulled out of the game that morning due to a shoulder injury (which he evidently didn't realise he had straight after his rugby game Saturday - urm). In his place stepped Kurt Whisker - an indoor veteran at the age of 21. Skipper Tommy Puncher won the toss and instantly invited Wood to bat - a decision vindicated as soon as the 3rd ball as Toby Maund held onto a simple chance off the bowling of Michael Rooke (1 for 9). Wood continued to struggle as the pace of Whisker (0 for 10) and nagging left arm seam of Rooke kept them down to just 21 off of the opening 6 overs. There was no let up for Wood as debutant Brian Kulasena extracted some alarming turn and bounce as he sped threw his allotted allocation at the expense of just 5 runs with 1 wicket to boot. Toby Maund (1 for 12) also provide good support as Brook strangled Wood's total to a below par 48.

In reply the pacey Richard Brabner accounted for Puncher with a duck and caught the dangerous Craig Irving (9) to leave 'Brook in an uncomfortable position. However, with the calm Rooke (9 not out) nudging regular runs at one end and the more exuberant Toby Maund (22 not out) plundering at the other Brook soon recovered and reached the total at a canter - using only 6.3 of the 12 overs available. Skipper Puncher was delighted with the start; " It was a great performance from the lads today and a big improvement on our start a year ago. To lose Adam this morning was a shame but as a bowling and fielding unit we were excellent today and Toby and Michael finished the game off nicely". Puncher had special praise for Kulasena; " Brian bowled really well today - according to Kurt, he was turning it more that Lawrence Walsh in the A team. He really was unplayable". Goresbrook 'B' 49 for 2 beat Harold Wood 'A' 48 for 4 by 4 wkts.

Goresbrook kicked off their indoor season with a hard fought victory over top flight newcomers Seven Kings, Paul Atkins hitting the winning runs off the final delivery after 'Brook's well paced chase had stalled after Richard Williams was unable to score off any of the previous five deliveries in the 12th over.

After losing the toss, Goresbrook were consigned to the field and Williams was welcomed back to the fold after missing the whole of the last campaign by being given the first over by stand-in skipper Dave Whisker. Whisker had a rueful expression on his face after Williams's first ball was comprehensively despatched for six and the second eased into the gap for three, however the Yorkshireman fought back well to go for only five more runs in the remainder of his spell as he found the ideal length and picked up two wickets, both sharply held by Atkins behind square on the leg side as the Seven Kings batsmen struggled to get on top of the bounce, Williams finishing with 2 for 14 from his three overs. Kurt Whisker also bowled tidily (2 overs, 0 for 9) and Aktins was a revelation as his wobbly seam proved difficult to get away, only one slower ball launched for 6 spoiled his figures (2.1 overs, 1 for 10). Lawrence Walsh took some punishment from the Seven Kings opener, who was the only batsmen to really get going, but after he retired with 25, the innings collapsed as a sharp stumping from Robinson and two run-outs saw the other Seven Kings batsmen dismissed as their shot-making and running between the wickets veered from aggressive to suicidal. Walsh finished with 2 for 21 from 2 overs and when Kurt Whisker took a sensational catch to dismiss the returning opener, Seven Kings innings ended at 59 off 9.1 overs.

In reply, Goresbrook were always on top of the required rate, as some early extras and a Robinson six over mid-off gave the Dagenham side early momentum. Walsh went early on for four, caught at square leg, but Robinson kept the scoreboard ticking over before he was bowled for 11. Williams and Kurt Whisker took the score past 40 before Whisker was stumped off a wide for 5 looking to finish the game quickly. Undeterred, Williams and Dave Whisker kept the innings on track with some sharp running and good use of the wall and with only 3 required off the final over with 3 wickets in hand, a Goresbrook victory seemed a formality. However Williams who had looked untroubled for his 20, suddenly lost the plot and hit neither the walls, or indeed for deliveries four and five the ball, as he played four dots and was then stumped advancing down the track off the penultimate ball to leave Atkins still requiring 3 runs off the final delivery. However Atkins is a man not easily phased by pressure and he calmly clipped the ball into the midwicket gap and rumbled through for the winning run to give Goresbrook a two wicket victory, Dave Whisker also left unbeaten on 2.

Goresbrook A's next game is on Sunday 11 Nov against a Hornchurch side who will no doubt be smarting from conceding 162 to a rampant Upminster A team, skipper Scott Barwick coming back into the side as he will be free from West Ham and karaoke commitments. Upminster B and Ardleigh Green were also comfortable round one winners over Chadwell Heath and May and Baker respectively. Goresbrook B kick off their Division 2 campaign next Sunday against Harold Wood. Goresbrook 'A' 60 for 4 beat Seven Kings 'A' 59 all out by 2 wkts.