Snake in the grass

Following successive defeats Brook got back to winning ways following fine batting from Craig Irving (96) and Bryan Atkins (51) and a determined and fired up bowling attack.

Inserted on a flat looking wicket Craig Irving and Atif Ali put on 70 in 15 overs before Ali chipped to point for 25. The visitors went down to ten men when one of the fielders stepped in a rabbit hole and sprained his ankle but the form of the home line up made their heads drop yet further, as did the alleged sighting of a snake in the long grass of the former tennis courts. Charlie Thompson continued his fine form with a quick fire 35 including a six over mid-wicket from outside off. Craig Irving powered his way to within a boundary of a century when he fell to a fine catch in the deep. Bryan Atkins, clearly buoyed by being complimented on his co-coordinating batting gear, hit powerfully in a seasons best 51 and contributions of 14 from Jo Wilkinson and 25 from Dunston Alfred helped Brook set an imposing total of 280-9 from their 45 overs.

Ben Irving, under instructions to bowl straight and fast, did just that and bowled the first three batsmen. Owen Elsom then grabbed 3 wickets in 4 balls, Daryl Forward nabbed two and after a nowt to lose innings of 22 from visiting skipper Greg Griffiths, Tommy Puncher took his second catch of the day, off the bowling of Kaylan. Fairview were dismissed for 89 in 23.3 overs to give Brook an impressive 191 run victory that lifts them to second in the table.