Whisker and the 1's show bouncebackability

Kurt Whisker’s men arrested a 2 game losing streak with a comprehensive win in the first meeting at senior level between Goresbrook and High Roding at Roding’s picturesque ‘The Meadow’ ground. On a warm afternoon with a flat looking pitch, Whisker was not displeased to be invited to bat when his counterpart Simon Sargent won the toss and the Brook skipper backed up his confidence with a second half-century of the season.

The High Roding skipper was presumably looking to exploit some of the frailties that the Goresbrook batting has shown in the last few weeks, however Whisker was reprieved twice early on in his innings and those dropped catches proved costly as the left hander occupied the crease for a little over 2 hours in making a fine 85. The Goresbrook opening partnership was worth 90 when Shane Barwick went for 25 and a further 64 was added for the 2nd wicket, mostly by the in-form Toby Maund who hit 42 from 30 balls.

After Maund was dismissed, Whisker fell shortly afterwards and it was left to Jordan Calverley to rally the middle order towards 300, a target Brook eventually fell 3 short of, Calverley again impressing with 60 and Kane Messenger finishing unbeaten on 23 from the number 9 slot.

In reply, with paceman Israel Ochwo absent, Shaddai Smith was recalled to first team colours after a near 5 year absence to open the bowling with Shaun Ross. The pair kept the High Roding openers in check for the first 5 overs before some loose deliveries were punished to leave the hosts well placed at 51-0 from 7 overs. However with plenty of bowling options in hand Whisker turned to the slender figure of left arm spinner Shane Barwick and the more robust medium pace of Bryan Atkins and the double switch yielded immediate rewards, both men picking up wickets in their first over to peg Roding back.

Barwick in particular bowled with great control, responding well to an earlier introduction into the attack than seen in recent weeks, stifling the home side’s response with a fine spell of 8-1-11-2. Atkins also picked up 2 wickets as High Roding dropped well behind the required run rate at the halfway point at 100-4, leaving the scene set for late overs specialist Kane Messenger.

Despite a battling knock from the home captain Sargent who made 33, Messenger was up to the task and he ran through the Roding tail to wrap the innings up for 154 in the 34th over, the seamer finishing with figures of 4-29, only being denied a 5 wicket haul by Toby Maund who picked up the second of his two wickets at the death courtesy of an outstanding catch by Jordan Harris.

Whisker was pleased with his side’s response to last week’s defeat at the hands of Champions Springfield, but with a bigger challenge this Saturday in the shape of last year's runners-up Bentley, another big performance is required if the 1's season is to develop some momentum.