Fours win again

Goresbrook 4th XI (234-8) beat Hornchurch Athletic 4th XI (118 all out) by 116 runs

The 4th eleven continued their fine form with a comfortable win over Hornchurch Athletic 4s at May and Bakers on Saturday. Kaylan, Parnell (D) and Atkins replaced Kumar, Gillham (jnr) and Pauling from the previous game against Rainham, adding more experience to the hosts line up. Captain Keith Maund won the toss and elected to bat on the Annex ground.

Following a dazzling 34 on debut, Kaylan opened alongside the resurgent Paul Lowe but he couldn't emulate his earlier season effort and was bowled in the fourth over of the day for just two. Lowe was joined by Stuart Greaves who continues his search for runs, again falling cheaply for just four despite occupying the crease for 38 minutes. Greaves was unable to find any gaps in the field and his stay warranted a greater return which will surely come soon.

Tommy Puncher who made a successful comeback against Rainham two weeks ago also fell for four, one of many who struggled with the variable bounce of the track. Whilst these wickets fell Lowe stayed calm, seeing off both openers and picking up runs with some fine cuts. When Maund came to the crease Lowe upped the ante and punished the Hornchurch attack. Lowe raced on to 50 before opening up further. With the skipper at the other end the two put on 43 for the fourth wicket before a loose shot by Lowe was well caught to see an end to the knock of 66.

As often happens, one wicket is quickly followed by another. Keith Daniels, who is struggling to find form, was bowled for nought and this brought Gillham (Snr) to the crease.

Wary of the loss of two quick wickets Maund and Gillham steadied the ship, playing sensibly to anything straight and punishing anything off line. Nudging into the gaps, the two ran well, Maund dealing in singles while Gillham hit the fence. Following this slow start Gillham opened up, dispatching the hapless Browne and Jones over the fence for maximums.

Maund finally fell for 31, his second plus 30 knock in two matches. All rounder Ricci Parnell was next in and attempted to increase the scoring rate but fell for seven off as many balls. Gillham meanwhile continued to play shots and raced onto his maiden half century with an exquisite off drive followed by a pull for four.

Paul Atkins came in and smashed out but not before serious damage was nearly suffered by two straight deliveries into the lower abdomen, which fortunately is well padded these days. This seemed to spur Atkins on as he smashed a six and four in consecutive balls scoring 16 from 13. Gillham was finally run out for 50 off 38 balls.

Hornchurch's chase was always going to be difficult the this pitch. A starting rate of 5.2 per over was never going to be easy to chase and this proved to be the case. Qasir Mumtaz and Daniel Parnell opened the bowling against the experienced Hornchurch openers. Both quickly found line and length and a lot of movement in the air and off the seam.

Having beaten the bat on numerous occasions and had two chances dropped, Parnell finally made the breakthrough. By now the youngster had a full head of steam and a good rhythm and hunger and bowled Walshaw for 8. In the same over Parnell also dispatched Lavey for LBW, having not had success for a very close shout the previous over. Parnell wasn't done there, two overs later he collected his third victim, bowling Willis for two with another excellent in swinging delivery.

Jones and Collier steadied the ship for Hornchurch, seeing off Paul Atkins and Ricci Parnell who both bowled economically. Parnell (R) conceded runs off only two scoring shots in his six over spell such was his control and he was desperately unlucky not to get any wickets.

Atkins bowled a mixture, a variety of different lines and lengths were used and he was also unlucky not to pick up any wickets especially as catches were dropped of his bowling despite excellent efforts in the field.

Gillham came into the attack and soon dispatched opener Collier for 12 as Goresbrook tightened the screw. Sensing an early ending to proceedings at this point Maund brought back Mumtaz who didn't disappoint, taking a wicket with the second ball of his second spell. Gillham grabbed another after beating the bat numerous times before Maund took a catch off a slower ball before Mumtaz got his deserved second.

Stuart Greaves was thrown the ball and finished the match with a terrific caught and bowled chance.

Despite the margin of victory Goresbrook conceded a staggering amount of extras and dropped six catches in what was a dominant performance that takes the 4s into 3rd place in the division.

Batting
Paul Lowe - 66
Keith Maund - 31
Danny Gillham (Snr) - 50
Paul Atkins - 16no

Bowling
Qasir Mumtaz - 10-3-20-2
Daniel Parnell - 6-0-16-3
Danny Gillham (Snr) - 8-2-17-3
Stuart Greaves - 0.2-0-7-1