3s fall to Thurrock

Brad Winsley’s 3rd XI suffered a disappointing defeat to table-toppers Thurrock, a depleted side never getting grips with a testing target of 210-7, especially once veteran Mal Umfreville reeled off 9 overs for just 10 runs to start the innings.

For Goresbrook Ricci Parnell (3 for 30) and Paul Atkins (2 for 44) were the main wicket takers, but a fine 50 from visiting skipper Tyrone Owen and a damaging 6th wicket stand between Wright (43) and Brady (39) saw Thurrock over the 200 mark.

The Goresbrook reply was built around an unbeaten 52 from Keith Friend, who batted all 40 overs after opening the innings, but after a stylish 44 from fellow opener Aaron Scott, support for Friend was hard to find, only under 15 skipper Lee Jones with 22 making double figures and with Friend unable to shift gears, the chase petered out, Goresbrook closing on 158-6 to lose by 52 runs.

Goresbrook’s 3rd XI drop to third place in Division 9, with promotion still very much up for grabs if they can recapture their better form in the second half of the season.

The tradition of detailed tea descriptions within the 3rd XI reports has been put on hold, as with the game moved to Fords due to drainage works on the MABA, we were forced to order a Fords tea. My mother always taught me that if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.