'Stow crash under 'Brook pressure

3rd Team Skipper Bradley Winsley lost the toss and led his troops into the field in this Division Two clash at the Peter May Sports Centre, Walthamstow on Saturday. The Goresbrook attack held sway from the off as paceman Shaddai Smith took advantage of the new ball grabbing 3 for 12. Skipper Winsley also claimed three scalps at a cost of 13. Hamza (17) and Matthews (13) offered useful resistance with a fourth wicket partnership of 31 before the former fell to Joe Barwick (1 for 11). Atif Ali mopped up the tail with 2 for 12 to ensure there were no further alarms for the visitors as ‘Stow crashed to 65 all out from 31.4 overs.

After tea, the hosts attack were soon in the ascendancy as Sebastian (3 for 9), Ayaz (2 for 14) and Matthews (2 for 18) all made life difficult for the Goresbrook batsmen. A gritty 23 from 16 year old Jack Stead supported by ‘keeper, Billy Chapman (10) was enough to bolster ‘Brook’s tally and dogged contributions from Barwick, Ryan Paul and Martin Rooke at the conclusion of the Dagenham outfit’s reply was just enough to steer them over the winning line with 3 wickets and a shade over 20 overs to spare.