Jones leads the way as 3s get back on track

Goresbrook 3s got back to winning ways with a comfortable win over Hatfield Peverel 2s on Saturday afternoon at an overcast MABA. With a very green wicket to play on the visitors won the toss and asked Goresbrook to bat.

Under 15s Alfie Boland and Danny Gillham Jnr opened the batting but both were soon dismissed by the excellent Benson who returned 2-4 from ten excellent overs with his left arm action.

Keith Friend continued his fine run of form with a patient 29 on a slow green wicket before he holed out to long off looking to push on, however the star of the show was the returning Matt Jones who scored a dogged 67 in very slow difficult conditions before being caught trying to accelerate the scoring rate.

Jones's innings contained eight fours and a towering six and there was some speculation whether Jones's maximum, hit straight back over the bowlers head off the back foot, was a mistimed trademark off-side slash, or an ingenious improvised stroke on a slow wicket. Whatever it was, it stunned the Hatfield bowler and re-affirmed that Jones has both the temperament and power to hold off the challenge of 4th XI middle order stalwart Jo Wilkinson who had bullied runs on a considerably flatter Annex pitch the previous weekend to put down a marker to the selectors.

Andrew Livett also added an unbeaten 40 to help push the score onto 153-5 at the close of innings, the dogged Livett finding the boundary with some deft cut shots to ensure that the 2nd batting bonus point was achieved in the 45th over.

In reply Hatfield Peverel lost regular wickets. Brad Winsley's welcome return saw him run out Howe with a fine piece of athletic fielding early on before the speed of Yorkshireman Richie Williams saw off Dawson and the elder Westwood.

Skipper Gillham dismissed Benson for a duck before the seamer removed Leonard Howe who offered the only resistance from the visitors for a fine 45. Williams got his third as Winsley held onto a chance at mid off to remove the younger Westwood before Joe Barwick was introduced into the attack.

Celebrating his 250th appearance the damson drifter was soon in the wickets as Andrew Livett finally held onto a chance in the slips while Winsley's spin bagged him two quick wickets.

After a simple dropped chance from Gaymer threatened to ruin Barwick's perpetually sunny disposition, he wrapped the game up soon after with some excellent bowling to dismiss the stubborn Moore by way of a stumping as the home side eased home by 71 runs with just over 11 overs remaining.