Winning run is over

Any conjecture about the longest winning run for an XI in Goresbrook history can now cease, as Aaron Scott's brief spell as skipper (in Brad Winsley's absence with the 2's) came to an abrupt end when the clubs 3rd XI suffered defeat at the hands of Broomfield on Saturday afternoon.

Junior club statistician Joe Barwick had sparked a mass debate by suggesting that the 3's 17 game winning run might be pushing previous Goresbrook sides close and the son of long-time guardian of the record books Chairman Dean Barwick, was on the verge of asking for a hand to scour old scorebooks in order to follow up his intuition before this untimely defeat.

The picturesque setting to the North East of Chelmsford was the location for the first defeat in 19 (17 wins and a rain-off) as Goresbrook's experienced batting line-up never got going against a home side who had rung the changes following a dismal start to the campaign that saw them in relegation trouble. The hosts had three season debutants whereas Brook saw three changes with regular skipper Winsley promoted, Ben Irving taking a sabbatical and Richie Williams deciding that he really does prefer to only play home games and electing to visit Ikea (other good home furnishing stores are also available) to gain some wife points back following earlier season tours to places such as Las Vegas.

Paul Atkins returned with Billy Parnell while Paul Lowe came in to provide stability to the top order. Livett and Scott elected to bat first having won the toss and initially found the going easy scoring 16 in the opening two overs. This wasn’t to last and following a scorching drive for four Scott succumbed to the short ball for the second week running. Broomfield's returning student Richie Williams' short pitched delivery was to good for Scott who tried to drop his hands out of the way but succeeded in only gloving to the wicket keeper.

Alfred was next in, unusually batting at three and facing the relatively new ball he struggled with the movement and departed shortly after for just five, Williams bowling him. The stage was set for Lowe to build one of his traditional innings and he and Livett pushed the scoring on at a nice rate reaching 50 in the tenth over and rarely looking troubled.

Home Skipper O'Riordan brought himself and spinner Jimmy Hills, returning following a lengthy spell with the 1s and being away at university and the runs stopped. With accurate spin at both ends over came and went almost as quickly as runs were being scored and nine over combination returned Brook just nine runs for the loss of one wicket as Andy Livett was adjudged lbw for 22 by Billy Parnell who's finger came up quicker than Tony Adams hand did for an offside appeal back in the days when Arsenal won trophies.

Drinks were taken at 67-3 and with Kumar and Lowe at the crease Brook looked to up the rate but again they were thwarted by the accuracy of O'Riordan and Hills. Kumar fell for eight trying to push the scoring along after he and Lowe had finally pushed Brook past 100 and Lowe followed soon after for a valuable 38 as veteran spinner Kenny Foster bagged his only wicket of the day.

Friend and Gillham Jnr found it difficult to score and despite the shot of the day cover drive from Gillham, he fell for just five to a fine catch at cover point the following over. Khondakar fell for a duck trying to hit out whilst Friend dug in to score 11 from 37 balls before falling to the home captain.

Tea was taken and a three table setup was met by delight from the Goresbrook youngsters with Gillham Jnr taking a particular liking to the ham, french bread and donuts and a sizeable portion of grapes whereas Parnell was at ease with the triple pizza selection. Khondakar and Kumar revelled in the cheese sandwiches whilst scorer Kay, alongside Marv were impressed with the cheese selection board that included the French classic brie and some other chunks that looked a little (intentionally) mouldy. The crisps were the only disappointment as they were of a spiced variety.

Needing to be at their very best in the field to defend 126 Goresbrook were not and lady luck also deserted them as looked for victory 19. Gillham Snr opened the bowling and despite finding the edge, the batsman found the gap between 1st and 2nd slip. Other chances went begging as the ball bounced just short of the slips and to the rope for four.

Khondakar had the same misfortune with any shots being played behind the wicket evading the fine efforts of Friend, Lowe and Livett in the slip cordon and going to the boundary for four. Gillham made the breakthrough in the fifth over. One of the few deliveries he actually got to bounce on the wicket cut inside Copeman and he was bowled.

O'Riordan, leading from the front for Broomfield swept away any bad deliveries in front of him as the home side reached the tenth over with 38 runs. Looking to take some pace off the ball Parnell was brought into the attack and was hit for 15 by O'Riordan. Atkins replaced Khondakar and had a couple of strong shouts turned down, another signal that this was not to be Goresbrook's day.

Following Parnell's single over 'Marv' was brought into the attack and the thinly thatched club legend struck fifth ball, removing Mason for lbw, Marv's appeal starting to reach fever pitch following an eternity of contemplation from the umpire. Broomfield's run rate was easily above that required and Brook were continuing to be sloppy in the field with over throws given away and captain Aaron Scott running over the boundary with ball in hand to give away another four runs.

Gillham Jnr was next to mess up, a fine piece of fielding by Tahmid Khondakar looked to run out danger man O'Riordon with ease but the wicket keeper, sporting a new Alice band to keep his hair out of his eyes failed to take the ball cleanly and the run out chance was missed. Another wicket fell just before drinks though as the safest hands in Goresbrook of Adi Kumar took a catch at long on to dismiss May off Atkins.

O'Riordan was continuing to be as stubborn as his earlier miserly bowling spell and was now happy to block almost anything with his 50 in sight, as was the target of 127. Scott changed Livett for Lowe who removed Charlie O'Riordan for 2 with another long drawn out lbw decision but this only allowed Chris Thorn to come to the crease and play some big shots. Captain O'Riordan completed his 50 before a series of blows off Lowe by Thorn including a towering six sealed a deserved six wicket victory for the home side.

Acting skipper Scott said following the game "I don’t want to do this again, I won’t do this again. My batting is quite frankly in tatters and I need to address that before even considering being a captain again. It’s likely that I will be dropped to the fourth team soon and I need to really get going again because I am better than that."

Scott was later talked down from his suicide watch by old friend Joe Barwick, who was keen to get out to the nets for some throw downs with the promising young right-hander to massage his confidence.

Upon hearing the news of the defeat Brad Winsley was disappointed but added, "I was in the 2s today and we won, so I must be the only undefeated player left in the club this season which can’t be bad".