240 little problem at Little Baddow

Goresbrook recorded a comfortable victory at relegation threatened Little Baddow to stretch their Mid-Essex Premier Division winning run to six games. On a warm afternoon on a small ground with one of the best batting surfaces in the league, Brook skipper Kurt Whisker was keen to win the toss and bat, but unfortunately he was on the wrong side of the coin for the 5th successive week and the hosts’ skipper wasted no time in consigning Goresbrook to the field.

That decision looked sound as the Baddow openers took advantage of an uncharacteristically wayward spell from Israel Ochwo to get off to a flying start. Ochwo bowled with extreme pace and imprecise direction, which was unfortunate for the poor soul stationed down at fine leg (when it doubt sacrifice Squeaky) who was having to deal with 80mph leg side wides hitting them one bounce on the body. That wasn't fun for anybody concerned, so Ochwo was quickly replaced by Bryan Atkins.

Although Daryl Forward had Gunawardene caught at the wicket for 3, Dipin Sodhi hit a stylish 54 adding 60 with number 3 Harris and then advancing the score to 145-2 with 17 overs still to go as Oli Mewis started to score quickly after being reprieved twice by keeper Craig Irving off the bowling of the calm and collected Kane Messenger.

Mewis made 74, but just as the hosts looked set for a total in excess of 250 (a half Springfield), Shane Barwick struck to remove Sodhi and Messenger finally dismissed Mewis and number 5 Golding. That exposed the lower order to a returning Ochwo and the paceman’s radar was working better in his 2nd spell, Ochwo taking 3 quick wickets, all clean bowled, as Little Baddow were forced to settle for batting their overs out, closing at 239-9. Ochwo with 3-53 and Messenger with 3-52 were the wicket takers, but Forward and Barwick both impressed with their control on a high scoring ground.

The Goresbrook reply got off to a flying start as Irving atoned for his misses with the gloves by smashing a quickfire 65 featuring 5 sixes on a ground that could have been made for his powerful driving. Irving was also helped by Little Baddow handing back the 2 drops that he'd given them and although skipper Whisker and number 3 Maund both missed out, falling for 18 and 11 respectively, once Irving finally fell there were to be no more wickets for the hosts as Jordan Calverley with 72 not out and Shane Barwick with an unbeaten 44, saw Goresbrook home with few alarms, the 1's overhauling their total in the 37th over.

The 1's remain 5th in a tight top half of the Division and they have an opportunity to close down on sides above them this weekend, as Old Chelmsfordians visit the 19th best wicket in the top 2 Divisions of the Mid-Essex league. However all eyes will be on Coxtie Green, where 2nd placed Bentley host Champions Springfield in a game that will have a huge influence on the destination of the title.