Brook downed by Rainham

A strongish Goresbrook side went down to Div 2 Rainham on a pitch that offered plenty for the seam bowlers, somewhat unfortunately as it happened as although much of the 1st XI top order and both spinners were playing, only Kane Messenger offered much in the seam department.

The Brook innings was in disarray from an early stage as the Rainham pace attack reduced us to 50-6, the excellent Jon O'Neill taking 3-10 and having everybody jumping around. However Craig Ivey, fresh from a fine 50 at Winchmore Hill on a road, followed up with another one on a track better suited to driving cattle rather than vehicles, bailing the side out to the extent that Lawrence Walsh at 11 wasn't required to bat, much to his delight, as the innings closed on 141-8 from 40 overs.

In reply, despite Kurt Whisker's attempt to produce an illusion of multiple seamers by bowling Kane's 8 overs in 3 spells and a particularly miserly spell by Toby Maund, the Brook bowlers were unable to take wickets regularly enough to derail the Rainham chase after a fine 58 from Sid Patel opening the innings. That said, at 110-6, questions were asked, but ultimately Rainham had the answers, the hosts getting home in the 39th over to record a 4 wicket win.