Ivory Towers Over Newham

Home captain, Kane Messenger, won the toss and elected to bat first in the withering heat at M & B Sports Ground on Saturday. The hosts lost George Godfrey (5) and Jordan Calverley for a duck early doors but opener Juber Rukon (43) gave a resolute display to lead a recovery with the willow, observing caution but punishing any loose offerings from the Newham bowlers. Lee Jones supported with 15 but at 91 for 4 an early finish appeared a distinct possibility. ‘Brook’s youngest player, 17 year old Ted Ivory entered the fray and signalled his intentions by sending the first ball to the rope. The youngster struck another five boundaries in a mature knock of 46 before nicking an out-swinging delivery from visiting skipper Sajjad Mirza who went on to claim 3 for 43 from his 10 over entitlement. Afzal Hussain (10) shared in a fifth wicket partnership of 57 with Ivory and the home side capitalised on the tiring attack as Muhammad Attuallah (21) and Messenger (25 not) lifted them past 200. 18 year old Pawanpreet Singh provided the sting in the tail with an undefeated 12 as ‘Brook closed on 228 for 8 from their allotted 50 overs.
After tea, Ivory removed both openers cheaply to give the hosts an early fillip. Singh helped himself to a brace of scalps as Goresbrook’s young attack adapted to the testing heat. Khawar Khurshid offered some resistance with a dogged 32 before returning a catch to the lively Daryl Forward. Messenger turned to the left arm spin of Sydney Russell School Teacher Livash Ramduth whose accurate 10 over spell yielded 3 wickets at a cost of 34 runs and effectively ripped the heart out of the visitor’s middle order. Number eleven Muhammed Umar Farooq’s unbeaten 33 merely delayed defeat for the East End outfit as Ivory returned to bag a third victim and complemented by Goresbrook’s fielding display, which has been a feature of the current campaign, ultimately won the day.
Goresbrook’s ninth victory of the season lifts them to fourth place in a Division of twenty clubs. The Dagenham side’s aim was to finish in the top 10, therefore forming part of Division 3 for 2023, with the bottom 10 sides making up Division 4 and they look to be on track to achieve their aim.

Goresbrook 1st 228 for 78 in 50 Overs (20 points) beat Newham 1st 166 all out in 35.4 Overs (4 points) by 46 Runs.