3s win in the heat

Goresbrook 3s eased to a home win against East Hanningfield and Great Burstead on a roasting afternoon at the MABA. Much to the annoyance of the home side skipper Gillham lost the toss and were put into the field on the warmest Saturday of the season.

Gillham opened the bowling with himself and this soon reaped rewards as he trapped Samullah in front for no score. Joe Barwick was tidy at the other end but couldnt make any inroads as a stubborn Linahan and Hamilton dug in. Runs were hard to come by unless the ball beat the batsman which invariably meant they beat stand in keeper Keith Maund as well.

Gillham turned to under 15 Itihas Adama to replace the toiling ginger Hoggard and his first ball was too good for away skipper Linahan who played all around a delivery that removed his middle stump. Adama has played very well this season for the 4th and 5th XIs and he certainly took his chance in the 3s and added a further wicket two overs later. Hamilton finally succumbed to the youngsters line and length and edged behind to Maund who took a sharp catch.

Alfie Atkins who had replaced Gillham was tidy without success whereas his father was very untidy and also had no success. Gillham turned to Matt Jones as Hutton and Smith looked to move the score on for the visitors but the pair put on 66 for the fourth wicket and offering only few chances to the Goresbrook fielders.

Those chances that were offered were not taken though as Joe Wilkinson, moved to mid on by request dropped the simplest of chances off Hutton and Andy Livett shelling one at deep mid wicket.

Smith was finally removed by Adama by run out and soon after Gant by the same method as Joe Barwick showed real athleticism to chase down a ball in the deep. On both occasions Maund's handling was superb. Gillham returned to bowl Smith (L) while Barwick's return saw him bowl Smith (M).

Despite this dominance, East Hanningfield held out for the full 45 overs.

Alfie Boland and Matt Jones started the response for the home side but Boland fell cheapily to Linahan. Wilkinson was next in and had a lucky early escape being dropped at long off but he was undone by Linahan shortly after as he was caught attempting one big shot to many.

Luckily for the home side Keith Friend was next in to safely protect the lower order and he did this superbly and not for the first time this season but Matt Jones was dismissed shortly after by Linahan with a ball that didnt bounce off. Friend was joined by Livett and the experienced pair moved the score along from 55-3 past 100 before Matt Jones controversially gave Livett out lbw. Livett looked to have got a long way down the track but Jones didn't hesitate to give Livett out following a stifled appeal from deep mid wicket.

Maund joined Friend and the partnerships of the Keith's carried the home side to victory with ten overs to spare. Friend finished unbeaten on 31 and Maund 25.

Brook remain top but their lead has been cut to 5 points as Great Baddow 3s took maximum points this weekend.