Lee Jones' 5 for 7 whittles out the opposition

Goresbrook captain, Keith Maund won the toss and elected to bat at Raphaels Park on Saturday. Brook’s 4th string received the ideal fillip as 14 year old opener Harry Jackson struck his maiden half century for the senior section. Right handed Jackson, played some text book shots as he struck a dozen boundaries on his way to a superb 71. Twelve year old Alfie Boland produced a mature knock of 22 which included 3 fours. Upon Alfie’s departure his father, Darren, replaced him at the crease and the right handed fire fighter set the game alight with a dazzling personal best of 56 finding the rope on ten occasions. Denny Sunny and Paul Duncan bagged a brace of scalps apiece for the hosts but eye-catching contributions from Lee Jones (14), Ricky Parnell (12) and Daniel Parnell (10 not) lifted the visitors to 264 for 7 from their 40 over entitlement.

After tea, 15 year old Kieran Fredericks produced a mature display with the willow accumulating 35 receiving support from David Thomas who clubbed 21. Ricky Parnell (2 for 10) arrested the charge of the Athletic batsmen, supported by Owen Elsom, Aditya Kumar and Daniel Parnell who each claimed a victim. Goresbrook’s star with the ball was 13 year old Lee Jones whose mesmerising spell of seam bowling yielded a personal best return of 5 for 7 to whittle the hosts out for 87 as the fourths returned to winning ways with a 177 run victory.