New Tricks

Goresbrook’s 2nd string travelled under drizzly skies to the Patmore Memorial Sports Ground in Wickford for a 40 over friendly on Saturday.

On paper the teams looked evenly matched, with a mixture of youth and experience, with Goresbrook’s XI ranging in age from 13-year-old Pawanpreet Singh to 60-year-old Dave Lambert.

Bowling first on a good pitch but with a damp slippery outfield, Lee Jones grabbed two early wickets in a four over spell and left-armer Singh, continued what he had done regularly in the u13’s and the 5th team last year and earnt a well-deserved scalp. After this, Wickford steadily rebuilt their innings with opener McKenna and skipper, groundsman and general handyman, Rouse adding 93 before Alfie Atkins teased the latter into chasing a wider ball that he chipped to Lee Jones at point. Bobby Granger struggled in his first over to deal with the slope of the Wickford pitch but soon started putting pressure on the batsmen and nicked an edge that the effervescent Jordan Harris snaffled behind the stumps.

With two new batsmen at the crease Matthew Elsom again impressed with a good probing spell that resulted in a LBW and not to be outdone his father Owen followed suit and, perhaps indicative of things to come, got the umpire to give a once a decade decision in favour of the veteran seamer.

In search of runs Wickford lost two further wickets to run outs, the first to a sharp throw from skipper Gilham to Harris and the second following a drop by Alfie Atkins in the deep who however quickly recovered to get the ball back to Harris who lobbed the stumps down from 5 yards.

Some fortuitous stroke play by the home number 11 edged the total up to 185 -9 from the allotted 40 overs.

After tea, Brook’s reply got off to a steady start with Harris and Alfie Atkins ticking the score along before Atkins fell for 15, leg before to a full pitcher from Grimes. Harry Jackson was run out for a solitary single. Harris creamed 3 consecutive boundaries but then fell for 27, mistiming a pull. Quick wickets fell and this brought Lee Jones and Owen Elsom together at the crease.

Elsom preached circumspection given that there were still 20 overs and 5 wickets in hand and Jones responded diligently until, well set on 30, he took on the round the wicket darts of skipper Rouse and was caught at wide mid-on.

Elsom was joined by Danny Gilham and the experienced pair built momentum against the ever-changing bowling attack. However, the rate had continued to creep up to over a run a ball against some athletic fielding and 27 were still required from 18 balls. 12 of these mustered 16 runs during which time 48-year-old Elsom reached a maiden club 50 from 54 balls and 8 boundaries in his 50th appearance since his Bosman transfer from the now defunct Goodmayes and Blythswood in 2013.

The last over started with 11 runs required and 3 results still possible. Elsom pushed a single but Gilham was castled having scored 21, looking to drive into the spaces down the slope on the off side.

Elsom’s former Goodmayes Park teammate Dave Lambert clubbed a ball past point but a fine diving stop by the sweeper and a smart return meant only a single was scored. Elsom lofted a ball toward the deep mid-wicket boundary but this too was well fielded and the game was up with Elsom unbeaten on 53.

Both sides enjoyed the game and there was a hearty mix of competitiveness and banter that enhanced the experience. Brook’s batsmen also showed that had learnt from the debacle at Orsett the previous Saturday and could take the game to their opponents.

There is now a further chance to hone early season form at Brookweald this coming weekend before the league season starts on the 6th of May.