Storm scuppers spinners

Goresbrook’s hopes of breaking out of their slump of 3 successive defeats were scuppered by Saturday’s thunder storms, as their game at Great Baddow was washed out with the visitors in a strong position having reduced the hosts to 102-9.

Acting captain Jordan Calverley won the toss and elected to bowl and was able to call on the returning Israel Ochwo to open the attack. Ochwo was immediately in the wickets, bowling opener Hartson, but the only stand of any substance then ensued between Sodhi (25) and Wilson (18). The seam bowlers were unable to achieve any further breakthrough on a slow surface with Ochwo easing his way back after injury and Ross hampered by leaving one of his spiked shoes in his car boot back at May & Bakers on a day when conditions underfoot were somewhat difficult.

Calverley therefore switched to spin and Billy Smith immediately snared Sodhi, getting one through the right-hander’s defences to disturb the stumps. From then on wickets fell regularly as Smith bowled his 10 overs taking a miserly 2 for 19 and fellow spinners Shane Barwick (3 for 21) and Tony Maund (2-20) applied a stranglehold to the Baddow batting. Had all the catches been held, the hosts could have been dismissed before the storms arrived, Kane Messenger having an eventful day, taking 3 catches and effecting run-out, but also dropping 2 chances, whilst the reliable Joe Curley held onto a sharp chance at deep mid-wicket.

However once the rain hit with the hosts at 102-9, the pitch became waterlogged and having not improved sufficiently for further play after two hours of sunshine, the match was called off shortly before a second shower hit the Chelmsford area.

Goresbrook move on to the first of two successive home games against Rettendon, looking for a good performance to kick-start their season, which is somewhat stagnating at present, as they lie 5th, well back from the leading contenders Bentley and Springfield.