Brave Goresbrook Bow to 'Bower

Skipper Bradley Winsley was mightily relieved to lose the toss and take to the field in this TRippon division 2 encounter against Havering Atte Bower 1's at May and Baker on Saturday.

A team, the majority of whom had only played 3rd or 4th team cricket this season, performed admirably in keeping HAB down to less than a run a ball.
After Owen Elsom removed Beechey for 10 with the score on 14 Brook struggled to contain the Hurley brothers, both of whom made half centuries, who pushed the score up to 141 but the spin of Winsley caught a leading edge and Dapper Dan took the catch at backward square. With the pitch showing some erratic bounce and considerable seam movement, WInsley nabbed another when an ill advised reverse sweep shot at a ball that kept low was adjudged plumb.
George Sleight grabbed two in two balls thanks to catches by Lee Jones and Paul Atkins and Joe Barwick got a well deserved wicket via an Owen Elsom catch at Long on.
Elsom himself, who particularly enjoys bowling at the Rugby pitch end , then returned, and seaming the ball prodigiously, bowled three more victims and was unlucky to see a lofted drive in the innings last over fall a foot short of Lee Jones at long on.
Overall Brook gave a solid fielding performance with Billy Parnell in fine form behind the sticks.
HAB closed their innings on 245-9
Elsom 10-2 37-4
Barwick 9-0-47-1
Winsley 9-1-39-2
Sleight 2-23

HAB set extremely attacking fields as Brook started the chase but it soon became abundantly clear that batting out the overs was the priority rather than chasing down the total. Andy Livett carried his bat for 43* and he was well supported by 27 from Lee Jones.
A mini collapse saw 4 quick wickets fall in the final 10 overs but the Marvel was steadfast and, despite Joe Wilkinson encouraging the visiting attack with news that Elsom and others were on a pair,saw the game through to the end.

Brook 2's: 103-6 in a 142 run defeat