Great Scott ! Thirds Clinch Promotion

Goresbrook’s Third String clinched promotion with a memorable 27 run success against table toppers, Thurrock, at Blackshots on Saturday. After losing the toss and being invited to bat first, captain Bradley Winsley strode to the middle with fellow opener Aaron Scott. Winsley was rueing his luck as he was trapped leg before by Mal Umfreville for 4. Charlie Thompson (10) became the first of Andrew Packer’s 2 victims and was followed back to the hutch by Atif Ali who fell for a golden duck. When in-form Jo Wilkinson was adjudged plum to the accurate Umfreville on 7 ‘Brook were teetering at 44 for 4.

Stuart Greaves then joined fellow 17 year old Scott at the crease and the teenage pairing set about restoring some stability to the visiting batting. Scott demonstrated a patient approach hitting two boundaries on his way to an excellent 53 whilst Greaves found the rope on five occasions before being run out when one run shy of a deserved half century. The duo had effectively repaired the early damage with a partnership of 67 for the fifth wicket. A quickfire 17 from Ben Irving lifted the Dagenham outfit to a challenging 161 for 7 on a drying track.

After tea, Qasir Mumtaz struck early for the visitors – his two wicket salvo courtesy of the safe gloves of ‘keeper Scott. Wayne Simmons (33) provided the impetus for Thurrock’s reply but a wicket apiece for Paul Atkins and Irving put the hosts on the rack. Skipper Winsley introduced himself to the attack and reaped immediate dividends with his ten over spell yielding 3 for 29. Pacemen Forward returned for his second spell and ripped out the rearguard’s defences returning 3 for 31 enabling second placed ‘Brook to secure promotion to Division 9 where they will join Saturday’s opponents.