1s smash club record score

Goresbrook’s first team closed in on promotion to the Premier Division of the Mid-Essex league and in doing so set a new club record score as they racked up 385-5 in 45 overs at Great Totham’s tiny Bull Meadow ground.

After being invited to bat on a damp pitch, skipper Kurt Whisker scored his customary 50 before being the first man out for 66 out of a first wicket partnership of 131 with Craig Irving. Irving was also in prime form and the right handed Harry Potter lookalike accelerated after a steady start to hit a superb 114, his second ton of the campaign, featuring 14 fours and 4 maximums.

With Michael Rooke playing the anchor role with a patient, some would say dour, 47, the innings went up a further gear after Irving was bowled as Jordan Calverley hit a violent 86 from just 42 balls, Brook bringing up the 300 in the 40th over. At that stage, very much aware that the clubs record score was 379, set 14 years ago on an equally diminutive ground at Herongate, the Goresbrook batsmen were attempting to launch everything out of the ground and although Calverley fell with the score on 366, Richard Williamson with 25 from 14 balls saw the visitors past the record in the final over.

In reply, Totham were tottering early on as Isreal Ochwo continued his outstanding form, the paceman taking 4-36 from 12 lively overs. Shaun Ross also chipped in with a wicket and Toby Maund picked up 2-50 on a ground where spinners have little margin for error, a difficult situation for a bowler whose margin is traditionally one ball in six.

A lively 8th wicket partnership between Bax (39) and home skipper Jones (42) took the Totham innings towards the 200 mark, but a late 3 wicket salvo from promoted 2nd team skipper Craig Ivey saw Goresbrook over the line, as the hosts were dismissed for 190.

Goresbrook’s maximum point haul combined with leaders Burnham’s defeat against Rankins, leaves Goresbrook one win away from promotion to the top flight and now leaves the title in Goresbrook’s hands, as wins in their final two games at Burnham and at home to South Weald will see Whisker’s men crowned champions.

“We were missing some key players today, in particular Shane Barwick who is our key bowler in the middle overs and Kane Messenger who has had a nose for the wickets recently, but the batsmen made his absence irrelevant. Craig Irving has always been a fantastic ball striker, but he’s never scored the runs that he should have done with his ability. He’s putting that right this year though and where he started, Jordan Calverley picked up. He is very difficult to bowl to on grounds like this when he comes in with wickets in hand.”

“Burnham’s defeat has opened the door for us and although I expect a tough game down there, the way we’ve played in the second half of the season gives me confidence that we can go down there and win. Assuming it doesn't rain.”