Goresbrook II v Hawks II - Essex County Cricket League - Div 1

The visitors got off to an untidy start with Shaddai Smith (1 for 29) and Shaun Ross (2 for 31) making an impact with early wickets. Shovan (44) and Ryan (24) steadied Hawks innings but Goresbrook’s young attack fought back with 15 year old spinners Billy Smith (2 for 26) and Shane Barwick (1 for 18) bowling economical spells to tie the Chingford outfit down. 17 year old Daryl Forward returned to bag a brace of victims but Christian’s confident unbeaten 25 lifted his side to 169 all out from 43.2 overs.

After tea Andrew Livett drew on all his experience to lead ‘Brook’s reply with an impressive 58 before Hubert Ryan had him caught behind. Craig Irving, batting at first wicket down, fashioned seven boundaries in an entertaining 47 but Christian’s burst of 4 for 44 left the hosts reeling at 158 for 8. With the teenage pairing of Billy Smith and Shaun Ross at the crease ‘Brook entered the last over requiring 8 to win. Ross proved the hero of the hour as he despatched Christian’s first two deliveries to the boundary to earn the Dagenham side a dramatic 8 wicket victory.