Barwick proves a handful again

Craig Ivey's second string were in a promising position when rain washed out their clash with Great Baddow, the technique of Joe Curley and under-fire opening partner Mark Bird surviving an examination on a wet wicket to spearhead a strong opening of 45-0 from 9 overs in pursuit of the hosts 184-9.

With the hosts batting first and rain forecast, Brook needed early wickets and the demon drifter obliged, Joe Barwick this week outshining opening partner Daryl Forward to take 3 wickets with the new ball. Barwick's early thrust reduced Great Baddow to 29-4, backed up as it was with another tidy spell of 10-1-29-1 from the ever improving Forward. At that stage Goresbrook sensed an opening as Barwick appeared to have everything in hand, but number 5 Wyatt with a fine 55 ensured that the home side weren't rolled over. Wyatt took some late toll on Barwick's figures (10-2-43-3) as he combined with Clark (20) and Pyle (48*) to rebuild the innings.

The 5th and 6th wicket stands were the crucial ones for Baddow and they ensured that the hosts used up all 45 overs, as although they never got away from some disciplined bowling and fielding, Brook couldn't apply the finishing touch as the innings closed on 184-9 with wickets also for spin twins Walsh and Smith (the Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito of spin twins) and skipper Ivey plus 2 runouts.

The Goresbrook reply was full of incident as the ball was moving extravagantly, as was one of the batsmen, as Bird, reeling from criticism of his technique from a member of the Tillingham side bowled out for 83 last week, resolved to get in line, after first stepping out of line and then shuffling his feet on the crease.

Whatever the process, the result was a solid 17* for Yer Man after a lengthy, nervous spell on 0, Bird briefly having to take the initiative in a partnership with the ebullient Joe Curley (23*) after Curley was hit firmly in the box, resulting in some bruising that should only be viewed after the watershed and a period of consolidation for the batsman whilst his voice dropped a couple of octaves.

All of this battle between bat and ball ultimately proved irrelevant unfortunately, as the rain swept in shortly after 5pm to wash out the game, leaving Brook with the visit of old adversaries Noak Hill next week to round out the first set of fixtures.