3's take maximum bonus point haul in defeat

Goresbrook’s 3rd eleven battled bravely in defeat when going down by 37 runs to Barking 3rds in a high scoring local derby at May & Bakers Annex Ground on Saturday. Home skipper, Bradley Winsley, won the toss and invited the visitors to bat first. In an entertaining tussle. Barking’s batsmen were in fine fettle with the willow despite Chris Wildings early strike when removing Sheikh for 1. Fellow opener, Ian Burchell steadied the ship with an excellent 43 before becoming the first of teenager, Joe Barwick’s three victims at a cost of 39 from an enterprising 9 over spell. Kothari’s compelling knock of 81 and Singh’s 37 threatened to railroad ‘Brook’s attack but both fell to 16 year old Aaron Scott. Left hander Scott went on to claim his first 5 wicket haul in senior cricket with a superb contribution at a cost of 45 runs to put the brakes on the visitors efforts. Captain Winsley also claimed a scalp as Barking were all out for 255 from the last ball of their 45 over entitlement.

After tea, ‘Brook were quick out of the blocks with their top five batsmen all accumulating double figures. Dunston Alfred (11) and Jack Stead (12) were the first to depart but this brought Mark Bird and Billy Chapman together for an excellent third wicket partnership of 76. Bird fashioned five boundaries before holing out when agonisingly one run shy of a half century whilst Chapman celebrated his 19th birthday with a classy 53 which included 8 fours and one maximum. Burchell and Fuller bagged a brace of victims apiece as Winsley battled resolutely for 25 whilst youngster Harry Jackson caught the eye with an unbeaten 12 but Barking’s total proved too tall an order for their opponents with victory going to the visitors by the margin of 38 runs as ‘Brook took some pride in defeat by claiming a maximum 10 bonus points.