Good Godfrey !

Visiting skipper Sam Samerasakera won the toss and elected to bat first at May & Bakers Sports Ground on Saturday. Athletic's innings was chiefly fuelled by a 61 run opening stand between Chris Humphries (45) and Ross Raferty (25).
Goresbrook seamer Daryl Forward came on to remove the former with Vijayaratnam Mahal bagging the latter give the hosts a timely fillip. Despite their lost momentum, Billy Robinson’s excellent 40 restored the tempo but home captain Kane Messenger’s brace with the ball coupled with a second scalp for Forward rocked the visitors. Goresbrook’s fielding, which has been a key feature this season, again yielded results as Samerasakera and Byford were run out in quick succession to leave Athletic defending an under par total of 185 for 8 at the conclusion of their 50 over entitlement.

After tea, teenager George Godfrey fashioned seventeen boundaries in a crucial innings of 76 from 92 balls. The dangerous Rukon fell to spinner Paul Humphries for 9 but Jordan Calverley struck nine fours and one maximum as he and Godfrey produced a raucous second wicket partnership of 83 that brought Goresbrook to the cusp of victory. Lee Jones (16) and Shaun Ross (10) ensured there was to be no escape for the Hornchurch outfit with Messenger 7 (not) striking the winning blow to secure victory and 20 points for the home side.

Hornchurch Athletic 1st 185 for 8 in 50 Overs (8 points) lost to Goresbrook 1st 187 for 6 in 40.4 Overs (20 points) by 4 wickets.