Barwick blitzes Newham

Goresbrook 205-9 beat Newham 63 all out by 142 runs

Goresbrook powered past Newham to complete an unbeaten first half of the season, 16 year old all-rounder Shane Barwick starring with a 5 wicket haul at a cost of just 13 runs as the hosts had no answer to the Brook bowlers following another solid batting performance from the May and Baker based side.

Newham skipper Tariq Aslam won the toss and elected to bowl and his decision appeared to be sound when Farooq dismissed Jordan Calverley for a duck after the opener's tentative prod went straight to Aslam at short cover.

With the bowlers not giving much away, Kurt Whisker and Sam Cooper set the innings back on track with a workmanlike 55 run partnership before Whisker top edged a sweep shot to fall for 29. Cooper continued serenely, looking in complete control until an inside edge proved his downfall as he was bowled by left arm spinner Patel for 44, a wicket that sparked a mini collapse.

The same bowler had just dismissed Afzal Hussain and when Toby Maund and Kane Messenger followed in quick succession, the latter after a suicidal call for a sharp single, Goresbrook were suddenly struggling at 127-6 with 15 overs still remaining. However a fine partnership between Bryan Atkins (34) and Shane Barwick (22) kept Brook very much in the hunt and a late flurry from keeper Chris Burke took the score to 205-9 as the innings closed.

It has been nearly three years since Brook's first string conceded a total over 200 in the league and despite a positive opening from Newham keeper Adnan Ashraf, the East Ham based side never remotely looked like causing an upset on this occasion. Richard Williams took three early wickets and with Israel Ochwo also picking up a scalp, Newham were already struggling before the intoduction of the spinners on a turning track brought the end of the innings in a hurry, Barwick running through the Newham tail and Jordan Calverley chipping in with a sharp runout from cover to hustle the hosts out for just 63.