A tale of two Richards

Goresbrook’s second string battled back from the depths of 33-6 after being inserted on a May & Baker pitch that had been soaked by mid-week rain, to set a target of 129 that visitors Purleigh never looked like approaching. A crucial 7th wicket partnership of 68 between Richard Wiliamson who made a fine 41 and Richard Williams (31) saw Brook to 3 figures and then 15 year old Harry Jackson sensibly ensured that Brook batted out their overs, the innings eventually finishing with Billy Smith’s dismissal on the last ball of the 45th over.

In reply Jackson and Williams tore into the Purleigh batting, or rather Jackson tore into them, bowling with pace to pick up 2-11 and Williams lumbered in, taking 4-22 on a pitch that couldn’t have been more helpful for his seamers.

The Yorkshireman expressed his gratitude to Shaun Ross who dropped the simplest of chances, costing Williams a 5'fer, but crucially saving him a jug. Ross did make amends by assisting in a run out immediately after the drop, as the batsmen who hit the ball into the air charged through for a run, leaving the more dangerous looking batsmen at the other end stranded, but even then, Billy Chapman had to leap to take Ross's turbo charged throw which was a good 9 feet off the floor, before throwing down the stumps in an episode best forgotten by all bar the acrobatic keeper.

Skipper Craig Ivey picked up the other 3 wickets for just 9 runs to complete a landslide victory and with his side already 43 points clear of the third placed team, Ivey, now known as 'The Shark' after two more feeding frenzies at the expense of opposing tailenders this weekend, must be delighted with his side’s unbeaten start to the campaign.