Rain hits 1's promotion hopes

Goresbrook 1’s suffered another frustrating afternoon losing their third T Rippon Division One match of the season to the elements as persistent rain made conditions too dangerous to continue at Rayleigh.

Goresbrook were in a commanding position at tea after a superb innings from Craig Irving fuelled a total of 262-4 from their 45 overs. Irving, in his first game back in the 1st XI after a spell in the lower sides, took full advantage of his opportunity after being dropped before he scored at slip, the right hander hammering a career best unbeaten 136 as he batted throughout the Goresbrook innings.

Irving has always been a superb striker of the ball and once he was ‘in’ he took the Rayleigh bowlers apart in the final third of the innings with Shane Barwick also making hay with an unbeaten 36. Irving also joined forces with Michael Rooke (41) for a significant partnership early on in the innings after skipper Kurt Whisker top edged an early pull shot.

The Goresbrook bowlers would have been very confident of defending 262, however a downpour at tea made underfoot conditions treacherous and then persistent light rain made conditions difficult for both sides, the game ultimately being abandoned early in the Rayleigh innings with the hosts at 35-0, with the Goresbrook spinners unable to grip the wet ball and the Rayleigh batsmen unwilling to face the quicker bowlers in slippery underfoot conditions and poor light.

Brook’s 10 points from the match looked a below par return on a day when virtually all other matches were completed, however they received a bonus in the form of leaders Rettendon’s home defeat to Rankins, a result which leaves the sides locked on 156 points in advance of their clash at May & Bakers next week, Burnham Sports being a further 19 points back in 3rd place with a game in hand.