'Brook leave Barking whimpering!

Goresbrook skipper Andy Livett won the toss and elected to bat first in this local derby at Mayesbrook Park on Saturday afternoon. Brooks’ strong batting line up powered to a mammoth total of 292 for 4 as the home attack toiled in the searing heat. Joe Curley (41) and Bobby Gaymer (18) set the tone with an entertaining opening stand of 52. Keeper Craig Irving then entered the fray and struck a magnificent, unbeaten 105 which included 9 fours and 2 towering maximums receiving support from Richard Williamson who added 17. Billy Chapman then joined Irving at the crease and given licence to attack, thrashed 7 fours and 3 huge sixes in an undefeated 65 compiling an unbroken 5th wicket partnership with Irving of 123 to set the hosts a daunting target of 293 for victory.

After tea, Daryl Forward (2 for 40) and Bobby Gaymer (1 for 14) used the new ball wisely but the introduction of captain Livett was Barking’s undoing. The 50 year old right armer tormented the home batsmen with a sizzling spell of 6 for 18 and when Williamson removed last man Afzal for a duck ‘Brook completed a memorable 196 run victory