Tillingham turned by Winsley's spin

Goresbrook's third XI played their seasons first at the MABA on Saturday. A windy but sunny annex met the two teams with Brook bolstered by the returning Mark Bird, Keith Fried and Billy Smith. Lee Jones also found himself back in the three's alongside Billy Smith who were both lowered from the 2s.

Goresbrook won the toss and put Tillingham into bat. Gillham Snr backed by the wind from the sightscreen end soon found his stride and dismissed Hilton third ball, a short pitched delivery finding pace and bounce accounted for Hilton who played on. Khondakar was finding it more difficult than the week before at Burnham and bowling into the wind he found it difficult to find his normally consistent line but still managed to bowl an excellent spell of 0-9 in his five overs.

Billy Smith was next into the attack and found his range early, stifling Emerson and Snowdon before clean bowling Emerson the delivery after a very close lbw decision went against him. Jones replaced Gillham and only lasted for three overs before skipper Winsley liked what he saw from Smith and brought himself on to bowl. Despite being dispatched for a couple of fours Winsley bagged Snowdon before Mark Bird flew into action to catch Butterwick for Winsley's second wicket in three balls, with Tillingham now 46-4 and Brook were in for the kill.

Bailey was next to go, Smith finding turn to remove him without scoring before Bird again took a catch to dispatch Mears. Bird completed a hat-trick of catches soon after , this time off Smiths bowling with another simple catch before Gillham Jnr stumped the elder Mears for just six off Winsley.

Smith finished with 3-8 from nine while Winsley's reward was 4-14.

With eight now down for just 56, Jones was brought back into the attack and needed just two balls to remove Hilton (H) and Bradley to leave himself on a hat-trick next time around.

With the innings being finished up in the 29th over, Brook went straight out to bat with last weeks hero Aaron Scott opening with Mark Bird. Apart from one or two scares the two openers looked at ease. Respecting the good balls the two played sensibly and scored freely. Having seen off the youthful opening bowlers Scott was bowled for 19 by Mears who turned a ball a mile to go through Scott's defences. Bird found no such problems and clearly showing no signs of fatigue from his early morning half marathon he smashed Hylton to all parts and finished unbeaten on 28.

Keith Friend hit the winning runs in the 12th over to seal a comfortable nine wicket victory.