Brook go top

Goresbrook's 3rd XI rose to the top of TRippon division 8 with a hard fought win against lowly Orsett and Thurrock on Saturday afternoon.

Goresbrook won the toss and batted on a good looking wicket that was in complete contrast to the outfield. The outfield looked and played like it had not been cut for three weeks and the length of the grass on show did not reward the stroke play of Ben Irving or fellow opener Lee Jones whose wonderfully timed drives were wrapped up before travelling even half way to the boundary.

It rarely takes Irving long to decide to go aerial, but in this case the decision was fully justified and the swashbuckler plundered two fours before being bowled by Tobin for 12. Jones was then joined by Harry Jackson and the pair were steady but they couldn’t raise the scoring rate as the visitors ambled along at around two per over, Jackson finally falling just before drinks, scoring 10 in a 54 ball innings.

The effervescent Andrew Livett was next in and the experienced batsman was soon in the runs, taking a liking to anything short to rock back and carve through the offside. Livett and Thurrock captain Hills duelled for several overs with Livett enjoying a rare opportunity to pit his wits against somebody older than himself, the right-hander eventually taking the upper hand as he dispatched Hills for a maximum over long on.

Lee Jones was next to fall looking push scoring along and he was caught off Arnold's bowling for a patient 37. Friend (13) added some important runs late on and red-ink specialist Livett finished unbeaten on 47 as the visitors posted 142-7.

The tea interval was eagerly anticipated and did not disappoint, the hosts merger with neighbours Orsett having led to no slippage in standards and indeed possible leveraging of purchasing power for the larger entity, the tea-ladies of Thurrock being in a minority in this UKIP stronghold by recognising the benefits of being in a sizeable alliance. Orthodox ham sandwiches were on offer that were filled very well with a high quality meat and the cheese sandwiches were equally impressive. A side tray of pancake rolls including duck in hoisin sauce were an excellent addition to an already impressive display but they were outdone by the roasted chicken thighs that oozed flavour.

Chicken nuggets and sausage rolls added to the savoury selection and the crunch was added by three flavours of sensations with the chicken and thyme bowl being raided more often than others.

Goresbrook opened their defence with 14 year old Alfie Atkins and the youngster bowled well through his initial six overs for no reward. Captain Gillham took the new ball for the first time this season and he was soon in amongst the wickets.

First to fall was Bruesh, an attacking batsman who likes to play his shots from the off as a Gillham ball nipped back and the opener played on for just 7. Hills fell the very next over for 5 as the visiting skippers swinging delivery trapped the home skipper right in front of the wicket.

The early wickets only hastened the arrival of Khan. Khan was aggressive from the off following his 90+ for the hosts the previous week and it was Paul Atkins who felt the wrath of Khan first on this occasion as he was brought on to replace Gillham at the Bevan House end in an attempt to boldly take the attack to the batsman, but he was promptly dispatched for 11 from his first over as Khan took control.

The persevering Lee Jones finally removed Khan though, the seamer shaking off his disappointment at the fatherland's disappointing 0-0 draw with Poland by bowling the talented batsman for a 27 ball 39, however with the hosts on 64-3 in the 22nd over the outcome of the game was still in the balance. Atkins then took two quick wickets to swing the game again in Goresbrook's favour as he bowled both Flain (0) and Newton (1) in quick succession while Harry Jackson took the scalp of Bundock (9) as the hosts slumped to 66-6, or a triple Benaud, as it's known in Australia.

Markham and Wilson steadied the ship for the Rock though as they patiently rebuilt the innings leaving the Grays area side still very much in with a shout. Alfie Atkins returned to the attack with the home side requiring just 40 from the last seven overs and his accuracy piled on the pressure as the home side scored just five runs from them before Gillham came back to bowl at the death and remove Markham (26) to an excellent catch by Atkins senior and Wilson (10) to a Ben Irving throw down as Thurrock finished 25 runs short.

With the win and Great Baddow's defeat at Tillingham, Goresbrook go top of Division Eight two points clear of the surging men from the Dengie peninsula who inflicted their only defeat of the season. Brook return to the home comforts of the MABA next week against Old Southendian & Southchurch who are fading somewhat after a promising start.