Bowlers run through HP
Debutants impress in comprehensive victory
Goresbrook’s foremost XI once again followed their plan to be in the bar by 4pm, however this time, rather than the unconventional tactic of surrendering wickets to hungry Great Baddow bowlers with rain approaching, an attack missing its spearhead (Israel Ochwo) and smaller headed spinner (Shane Barwick) produced a disciplined and aggressive performance to knock over Hatfield Peverel for 102 on a fine afternoon up the A12 in middest Essex.
The new ball bowlers were the key, as Shaddai Smith returned his best figures since his recall to first XI colours, the pocket powerhouse taking 3 for 28, revelling in the role of experienced attack leader alongside new boy Daryl Forward and backed up by some tremendous catching.
Smith’s newest partner has either added a yard of pace this year, or has opened the bowling sufficiently often with Skippy in the 2’s for the illusion that he’s developed some extra nip to take hold. Either way, the amiable 20 year old Forward, a man so languid that he’s already been inked in as Shaggy should Goresbrook ever reproduce the Scooby-Doo series (Squeaky having nailed down the Scrappy-Doo part several years ago), also impressed with his lively seamers, his spell of 10-3-31-3 being a fine return on his Saturday 1’s debut.
With the home side reeling on 30-5, Chris Wager decided that attack was the best form of defence and a brief spell when the ball disappeared regularly to the boundary threatened to take the hosts to a target that would have proved testing on a wicket that had the proverbial ‘bit’ in it for the bowlers. However just as arms started to be waved and caps thrown on the floor, Kane Messenger, a man always looking for an opportunity to get involved with a Wager, had the Peverel number 6 caught behind to give Craig Irving the 3rd of his 4 catches.
From that point, Messenger and Bryan Atkins carved up the tail to dismiss Hatfield Peverel for 102 in the 28th over, Messenger finishing with a 1.5 x Richie Benaud return of 3-33.
Small totals have proved difficult for Goresbrook sides in the past, but none of those sides have included Joe Curley, the 22 year old making a long awaited 1st XI debut 9 years after his first senior appearance on 26 August 2006. Curley has had a prolific couple of seasons, making a hatful of runs for the 2’s and occasionally 3’s and was finally rewarded with an opportunity to open in the 1’s alongside captain Whisker.
Curley impressed on debut, top scoring with 26 and keeping the scoreboard ticking over after the early dismissal of Whisker, who popped a lifter up for just 12. Curley was captured by a roving photographer looking more elegant than the typical Goresbrook batsmen (see link to photos below) and his classical strokeplay will certainly mean he is unlikely to be sent on his way after dismissal with the words, ‘f*** off back to Dagenham and take your sh** stance with you”, as was the case for one of his middle order colleagues this year, a line which will take some beating as the best sledge of the campaign.
Although Curley and Toby Maund both fell to Castledine, who bowled a testing spell first change up, the middle order were up to the task of getting the side home with the minimum of fuss, Calverley, Irving and Williamson all hitting a few boundaries as the 1’s got home in the 19th over for the loss of 4 wickets.
After an impressive debut, Forward now disappears to Ibiza instead of making the trip to Blackshots, swapping one sandy haven for another, however Curley will continue at the top of the order meaning some competition for places if both Shane Barwick and Israel Ochwo are fit to return.
Forward will also have to wait another week for a 1st XI nickname, although as a West Ham fan, ‘lump the ball’ Forward is on the cards, as is the Paula Abdul-esque ‘Two Steps’ and the simple option ‘Fast’.
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