2's avoid being Easter bunnies

Craig Ivey’s second string made it a lucky 13th win from 14 completed matches with a comfortable win at a High Easter side who still require a few points to be mathematically safe from relegation in Division 4 of the T Rippon league.

Ivey’s first task was to tell his enthusiastic opening pair Mark Bird and Joe Curley, who had done everything but arrive at High Easter’s beautiful village green ground padded up with bat in hand, that he had lost the toss and Brook would be fielding. Once the pair had put that disappointment behind them, Goresbrook emerged slightly sluggishly to set about the High Easter batting in front of an expectant crowd, numbering an elderly local couple, Kay Friend, Dave Curley, Pat & Les Bird, their friend from Felstead and the latest guide dog in the Bird family, young Ziggie.

Following a first six overs that could charitably be described as ‘rusty’, Les Bird had to be forceably restrained from sending out Ziggie to assist Brook opening bowler Joe Barwick, who was having trouble locating his line and length against Easter’s left handed batsman Chester (who top scored with 34). As a consequence, the ginger gladiator was slapped repeatedly over long on and through the leg side in an uncharacteristically ill-disciplined showing in what has been a fine year for the declining art of drift bowling.

It later transpired that Barwick was suffering from a stomach ache that ‘hadn’t been right since tour’. As tour was eight weeks ago, the response that this excuse was given was shorter than your typical Shaun Ross opening over, however it was noted that both Craig Ivey, who has yet to be dismissed by a ball that moved less than a foot this season and Andy Livett, whose career lbw dismissal list consists of 1 that might have been clipping leg and 57 umpire errors, both stored that line away for future use.

At 48-1 at the end of the sixth over, the one wicket being in Richie Williams’ first over when the other Easter opener dragged a slow wide full toss onto his stumps to complete a dismissal that Toby Maund would have been proud of, local supporters were anticipating a sun dreched afternoon full of runs, however once Craig Ivey introduced his cutters and pace variations to the equation and Williams roused himself to something approaching 100% effort, the game took on a very different complexion.

The lumbering Yorkshireman is well versed in turning the game into an entertainment spectacle to be endured rather than enjoyed, although he is rather less versed in driving to away games, so once he shook off the stiffness from his first such trip in his 15 year Goresbrook career, he found his length in tandem with a spell from Ivey that completely bemused the opposition.

As a consequence, for an hour the Easter innings ground to a virtual halt, the next 20 overs featuring much playing and missing, edges and scrambled defensive shots as batsmen came and went. At 78-5 heading into the 25th over, Williams departed with figures of 12-5-25-2 and Lawrence Walsh entered proceedings, his leg breaks proving a temptation too far for home skipper Norgrave who was stumped after a dogged innings of 20, which started with him looking positive and fluent and ended nearly 30 overs later with him looking completely out of form and twitching at the sight of another off cutter from Ivey.

Once Walsh had snared a couple of victims, Bobby Gaymer replaced Ivey, who concluded a fine 12 over spell with 3 for 30, and the leggy paceman quickly wrapped up proceedings with 2 straight sharp deliveries that suggested a man not best pleased with his new ‘death bowler’ role with the ball, High Easter being dismissed for 109 in the 36th over.

The Goresbrook fielding had a decided end of season feel to it, with only Joe Barwick stepping up his game as he channelled his rage to connect with his inner Jonty Rhodes. Barwick patrolled the backward point area with something approaching authority, even picking up his first catch of the season as Ivey deceived the Easter number 4 with an off-cutter, a drive skewing to the carrot-topped catcher. In sharp contrast, Joe Curley shelled his first catch of the season at mid-off and the only thing slower off the mark than Mark Bird as a mishit pull off Williams dropped gently to the floor in the covers was Goresbrook Boy in the day’s 12.47 at Romford.

In reply with the willow Brook were expecting a battle against the new ball on a pitch assisting the seam bowlers and so it transpired as Bentley produced an excellent spell, castling Joe Curley and then having the last laugh against Mark Bird after yer man had hit two majestic straight boundaries, a third attempt going straight up in the air to be held at point.

Jordan Harris and Keith Friend looked to rebuild and see off Bentley and fellow seamer Garner who was also achieving some promising movement and with scoring shots in short supply something had to give, Harris edging behind to fall for 7 as the pressure built. However the entry of Andy Livett steadied the ship and with the Easter support bowlers lacking the quality of Bentley, the experienced pair played a waiting game and eventually cut loose, Livett hitting 30 off 40 balls with some pleasing off side shots to see his side over the line in tandem with Friend’s patient 21 from 69 deliveries.

Ivey’s men will be looking to finish the season on a high on what could well be a tricky final game at Woodham Mortimer who maintain an outside chance of stealing the 2nd promotion spot form Old Chelmsfordians should they slip up against Thurrock next week. Thurrock themselves are not out of the promotion race given that they still have to play the 2 of the 4 sides in with a shout for 2nd (Old C’s and Purleigh), as wins in both of those games, combined with a Woodham Mortimer defeat would probably be enough to see the Blackshots side steal the 2nd spot.