2s punished by Purleigh

Craig Ivey's inexperienced side crashed to defeat against 3rd placed Purleigh as a total of 146-10 proved insufficient against a visiting side lead from the front by Christian Freegard, who anchored the chase with a fine 60.

The Goresbrook batting, with a reshuffled order, started reasonably, as Aaron Scott posted 29, however once Charlie Thompson was dismissed for 14, Harry Jackson and Adi Kumar quickly followed to leave Goresbrook in need of the steady hand of Lawrence Walsh at number 5.

Walsh and Scott advanced the score to 68 before Scott was bowled by Freegard's darts and then Walsh watched as skipper Ivey, the out of form Billy Chapman and Ben Irving all fell to the skiddy Cheek trying to push the pace, before Walsh was dismissed by Freegard to leave Brook at 124-8.

Some late order biffing from Shaun Ross and blocking from Billy Smith and Joe Barwick saw Brook to 146 before they were finally bowled out in the penultimate over.

The Purleigh reply didn't start auspiciously, as Ross and Barwick picked up wickets before Harry Jackson followed up with a brace to leave Purleigh at 52-4, however Freegard found an able partner in Ryan and the pair added 93 runs taking their side to the brink of victory before both fell in sight of the line, lending an air of respectibility to the final scoreline. Purleigh eventually getting home 6 down in the 44th over.

Brook must regroup for next week's visit to Broomfield as few slip-ups can be accommodated if promotion is to be achieved.