Brook go top with third win and Billy's Spin

Goresbrook 3s went top of the table on Saturday night as they saw off Athletic in a hard fought match at Raphael's Park, Romford. Captain Brad Winsley won the toss and elected to bat first on a drying wicket that was in excellent condition for a public pitch.

Keith Friend and Mark Bird got the innings off to a start facing the youthful opening Athletic under 15 pair of Madams and Gilham. A tight opening spell was ended when Bird drove a powerful shot into the covers that was held well by the fieldsman. Harry Jackson was next in and fell to his third ball when he was bowled by Gilham who after a series of controlled outswingers nipped one back in off the seam to scatter Jacksons stumps.

At 14-2 and seven overs in Brook looked vulnerable but the effervescent Keith Friend was joined by young lion Adi Kumar and the two of them steadied the ship. The pair saw off a series of bowlers without alarm, pinching the odd single along the way as well as the odd on drive from Kumar as Brook reached 50 without further loss at drinks.

Following the break Friend and Kumar started to open up and Kumar reached his fifty in the 29th over with his ninth four of a watchful innings. Friend at the other end wasn’t as prolific in his scoring and continued to play the anchor role whilst Kumar played his shots.

Kumar finally fell for 59 in the 30th over with his innings coming off 70 deliveries. Gillham Junior came and went quite quickly, trying to up the scoring rate and being caught at mid wicket before Friend sealed a half century of his own in the 33rd. With the fifty in the bag Friend went on the offensive and was stumped off Wilson while charging down the wicket.

Ben Irving tried to go large but was dismissed for just 7 before Giilham Snr hit a quickfire 18 not out including a huge six that looked at one point to be threatening the fine conservatories on the Parkway as Brook finished on 184-8.

In response Hornchurch were in trouble early on. Opener Speller was caught plumb in front by Gillham Snr without scoring before Gillham bagged his second when Hemmings slapped him to the safe hands of Harry Jackson at mid wicket. Cheeseman was next to go for 4, caught by the earlier impressive Kumar at mid-off off the bowling of Billy Smith.

Turner fell next, this time Irving catching at cover off Gillham Snr. Hornchurch were now in big trouble at 36-4 and only Roe and Wilson were looking to offer any resistance to the inform Brook attack. Wilson should have been next to fall, a Gillham delivery nipped away from Wilson who nicked the delivery but was dropped by Gillham Jnr behind the stumps.

Wilson dispatched a couple of deliveries for six before Billy Smith bowled him for 21. Thomas fell with the very next ball. Smith spun the ball away and caught the outside edge, Keith Friend at first slip dived full length to his left to grasp the ball inches of the ground. A Chris Jordan like effort from the Brook opener.

Roe at the other end, running out of partners, decided to up the ante, firing a series of shots down the ground for four and six. He was ably assisted by Rajan and the two of them put on 38 together for the 8th wicket to give Hornchurch some hope. Smith finally dismissed Rajan for his fourth wicket and ended with figures of 4-27. With the game seemingly one, Roe was joined by Madams and the two made Brook sweat.

The run rate was being reduced ball by ball and with Roe finding regular boundaries skipper Winsley brought back opening bowler Khondakar who had earlier had a tough spell running up the hill and into the wind. With the elements in his favour the under 13 star ended the resistance of Roe with a fine pacey delivery that took the top of middle stump.

The following over Athletics débutante Navid hit out and was caught by Gillham Snr in front of the increasing Goresbrook away support to give Winsley his first wicket before the same bowler enticed Madams into a shot to deep mid wicket where Ben Irving to a comfortable catch as Brook ran out winners by 49 runs.