Goresbrook III v Barking III - Essex County Cricket League - Div 2

A solid Barking third eleven made the most of a plethora of dropped catches as they amassed 284 for the loss of a solitary wicket in an entertaining local derby at the M & B Annex Ground. Openers, Raj Kathari who struck a marvellous unbeaten ton and Benni Mathe who supported with a fine half century posted 135 before Mathe who had struck 7 fours and 2 sixes was bowled by Tilly Wijesuriya for 52. Kathari did not let this hiccup arrest his momentum when Singh joined him to add a sparkling undefeated 59 which included 10 fours and a maximum. Kathari was still at the crease after the conclusion of the allotted 45 overs having accumulated 116 to put Barking in the ascendancy.

After tea ‘Brook set about their victory target with Opener Dunston Alfred lashing 5 fours and a towering six in a superb knock of 62. Craig Ivey (38) and 15 year old Ben Irving (26) maintained ‘Brook’s charge but a brace of wickets apiece from Nicholas and Kathar swung the contest back in the visitors favour. The tail wagged as teenagers Jack Stead (19), Jamie Sutton (16) and Joe Barwick (15 not) saw the hosts past 200 for maximum batting points but the target proved beyond Goresbrook as Barking recorded a 47 run victory.