Brook all at sea against Southend.

Solid batting contributions throughout the innings took Goresbrook 3's to a competitive total of 197-7 from their 45 overs in this TRippon division 7 game against Old Southendians on Saturday. However an abject bowling performance lead to a heavy 9 wicket defeat as the Old boys, and a solitary girl, knocked the runs off in the 28th over.

With the bat, Darren Johnson hit a smart 34, Sam Wood continued his good recent form with 33 and Keith Maund and Matty Friend both with 13 got Brook off to a good start but a flurry of wickets meant Owen Elsom and Leonard Thoufick had to rebuild the innings form 104-6. Elsom scored 15 before being bowled but this brought Darren Ivory to the crease and the 50 year old showed his class as he cut and drove his way to 43 not out. Leonard Thoufick, encouraged by his partner slowly began to let loose and contributed 28 not out as Brook closed on 197-7.

After tea Skipper Joe Barwick opened proceedings with himself and Owen Elsom, but in the 3rd over the wheels began to fall off the wagon as a succession of long hops and full tosses from the tangerine trundler were dispatched to and over the boundary rope. A catch at slip off a full toss was, perhaps fortuitously for the batsman, called as a no ball.

Elsom kept things in check at the other end with a testing but luckless spell but although George Sleight enticed a top edge that Elsom caught running backwards at point, there was to be no further success for the Franny Lee's as more wides, long hops and full tosses were given the treatment they deserved. Brook's ground fielding was of a high standard but the bowling was simply not good enough. Old Boys skipper Ross Worsfold hit an undefeated 55 but it was perhaps fitting that Nathan Linfield hit the winning runs, bringing up his century in the process.