Dismals showing from the second string

Brook's second string suffered a chastening defeat at Terling's picturesque ground 'The Dismals', as the clash between last two unbeaten sides in Division 3 proved one way traffic in the hosts favour.

The Goresbrook innings floundered from the start as Charlie Thompson got a taste of his own medicine as he was bombarded with questions by Terling's new ball bowlers, ultimately falling for 3. Andy Livett and Keith Friend then dug in and got completely bogged down in the face of some excellent bowling, Goresbrook only managing 21 runs in the first 21 overs, the Terling openers recording 11 maidens from their 20 overs.

A brief cameo from Billy Chapman, inspired by Ben Stokes making gingers cool again, with a feisty 29 featuring 3 maximums got the scoreboard moving again and then an unbeaten 30 from Lawrence Walsh, inspired by a rare Arsenal appearance in a big game and a run a ball 17 from Bobby Gaymer, inspired by his elevation to the 2's after a golden duck in the 3's last week, ensured Brook batted their overs, but 116-8 rarely looked like being a competitive score.

So it proved as despite an early wicket from Qaiser Mumtaz, inspired by being given the new ball and told to channel his inner Imran Khan by skipper Ivey, the hosts Dawson (52) and Jagota (56) had little trouble with the remainder of the Goresbrook attack, who lacked inspiration, as Terling knocked off the runs with relative ease, the game finishing in the 21st over with the hosts, and new Division leaders just the one wicket down.

Back to drawing board for Ivey's men, who have a few selection options back next week for the visit of the first second team that they will face this year, Stock II's.