Goresbrook I v Asian I - Essex County Cricket League - Prem Div

Goresbrook skipper Kurt Whisker lead from the front with a battling 71 as 'Brook kept up the pressure on the pacesetters in the Essex County Cricket league with a hard fought win over Asian Sports & Social Club.

Whisker had earlier won the toss and elected to bat on a sticky surface and whilst it was slow going early on, the captain set the foundations for a competitive total. Toby Maund departed early, bowled by Amit Ashok, but Whisker put together a solid partnership with 16 year old first XI debutant Luke Read before Read was bowled by a sharp break back delivery from Amir. Further runs were added with Michael Rooke (24) and Jordan Harris (18) as Goresbrook looked to push on towards 200, however Whisker's dismissal, yorked by Amir, provoked a batting collapse as amazingly the last four batsmen were all dismissed for nought, 'Brook failing to bat out their 45 overs as Ashok returned to hustle the hosts out for 174, picking up 5 for 25.

In reply, with the temperature dropping and the wind gusting at upwards of 25mph, Goresbrook were made to work hard in the field as Asian mounted a dogged rearguard after losing four quick wickets. Matt Friend was their early tormentor, the 18 year old paceman picking up 2 for 11 and with Israel Ochwo also taking 2 wickets, Goresbrook were well on top. However, the middle order for the visitors dug in and after Umer and Bunny added 30, Abdul Rauf took up the chase with some fine off-side strokeplay.

With 10 overs remaining, Asian were still very much in the game, requiring 60 with 4 wickets in hand and two well set batsmen, however Ochwo returned to take two further scalps and then an outstanding piece of fielding from Whisker saw Rauf run out, effectively ending Asian's resistance. Toby Maund took the final wicket to fall in the penultimate over as the visitors fell 23 runs short, Ochwo taking 4 for 35 and Michael Rooke also picking up 2 for 36.

Whisker was delighted with his side's effort in trying conditions and the Goresbrook skipper is looking forward to a crunch clash at unbeaten leaders Scintilla next week."At times today, the conditions were brutal, both sight-screens blew over in the high wind and from one end bowling was very tough into the teeth of the gale, so although we weren't at our best, I'll take the 20 points and look forward to next week. We'll have to improve significantly to beat a confident Scintilla outfit, but the weather forecast is good for next week, so hopefully we'll get a pitch with a bit of pace and bounce, which will suit our pacemen."