Further defeat for third XI

Goresbrook's 3rd XI succumbed to a further defeat on Saturday at the hands of bottom side Orset and Thurrock 2s.

In fairness Goresbrook were much depleted as the holiday season hit hard with seven regulars being called up for second team action. Thurrock on the other hand were able to name their strongest side of the season and they proved to good for the youthful home side.

Skipper Gillham went into action with seven of his under 15 side, inform Andy Livett, resurgent Paul Atkins and the jaded and low on confidence Joe Wilkinson.

Tahmid Khondakar (14) and Frankie Boland (13) opened the bowling for the hosts and the pair caused Shiva and the younger Hills trouble from the off. Boland finally removing Shiva for 16 as Alfie Atkins took a good catch. Khan for the visitors then started to play some shots so Gillham replaced the expensive Adama with himself and he saw off the talented Thurrock batsman with just his third ball.

The youngsters continued to plug away and fine spells were bowled by Leonard Thoufick who returned a steady 1-14 from his five over spell. Thoufick should have had a second wicket but the hapless Wilkinson dropped a simple chance at his favoured mid on fielding position. Billy Parnell was rewarded with 1-36 off another good spell of bowling before the senior pair of Atkins and Gillham bowled the last 15 overs in tandem.

Gillham continued his good season with a further wicket as Ruckley edged behind to Alfie Boland who deputised very well with the gloves. Paul Atkins was also rewarded for finally finding the playing surface as his seven overs went for just 20 runs and reaped two wickets. Atkins could have had a third but again poor fielding, this time from his son Alfie who dropped another simple chance gave Thurrock the opportunity to capitalise to which they did at the end of the innings with a flurry of runs.

The target of 203-7 was achievable but the openers jinx hit the third XI again, this time the luckless Joe Wilkinson departing without scoring and he was quickly followed by Alfie Boland for just 1. When Billy Parnell followed moments later for a duck of his own the away side were firmly in the ascendancy but Alfie Atkins and Andy Livett steadied the innings with a fourth wicket partnership of 50.

Atkins fell to a loose shot to the onside bringing in Gillham who enjoyed the bowling of Hart who he dispatched for a maximum early on.

Livett was digging in while Gillham played shots before away skipper Hill's turned to himself to stem the flow of runs and this reaped reward as the wily campaigner forced Gillham into a false shot and he played on down the leg side.

Livett continued to play his patient game, looking to secure a further half century of a fantastic season but this wasnt to be as away skipper Hills flung himself to his right to take a superb catch as Livett fell for 46.

Khondakar and Adama (17no and 5) batter on gamely but the home side fell short by 61 runs.

Skipper Gillham, although dissapointed with the loss and the lack of quality in the earlier tea was still upbeat, 'We utilised six under 15s and one under 13 today and they can all be proud of themselves. The experience they would have taken from today will stand them in good stead for the future. I can see many of these boys being main stays in the third eleven for the next season and they will just get better and better. The bowling spells were good today against a very strong batting line up so they can be pleased with their days work'.