Wanstead & Snaresbrook U16 vs Goresbrook U16 - Matchplay Group 5

Goresbrook’s Under 16 side came into this first group 5 Matchplay game very short on match practice. Half the side had not played in any match before the game and the others had not had much time with ball in hand or time at the crease. Wanstead captain and South England player Saurav Prabhakar won the toss and put 'Brook into bat. Bobby Gaymer and Jack Stead, who was opening for the first time in a Matchplay game, got the visitors off to a solid start against some lively seam bowling. They took the score to 39 when Stead couldn’t resist going after spinner Prabhakar and holed out for 16 in the 12th over.

This brought 'Brook skipper Shane Barwick to the crease and the left hander was in majestic form as the pair added a superb 125 over the next 20 overs. Gaymer played the anchor role playing straight and keeping the scoreboard ticking over whilst Barwick stroked the ball to all parts of the boundary. Gaymer fell for a fine 52, his maiden half century for the club, his knock lasted 84 balls and included three 4's. Barwick fell shortly after going for a big shot having scored 86 from 74 balls, his knock produced ten 4's and three big 6's.

The runs kept coming as the middle order all went for their shots, Joel Oliver (10 from 6 balls), Stuart Greaves was run out trying to take a chance for 1, Ben Irving (17 not out from 19 balls) and Harry Jackson (7 not out from 3 balls) saw 'Brook through to a very respectable 225 for 5 in their allotted 40 overs. Hoqe (2 for 60) and Prabhakar (1 for 18) were the pick of the home attack.

In reply, there was a bizarre start to proceedings as after a good tight over from Gaymer, Ausman Ginai seem to struggle with his length. Ginai got through his over okay but after another tight Gaymer over Ginai bowled 3 beamers in his second over and umpire Coates decided that he should be taken from the attack. Harry Jackson completed the over but with 2 wides also being bowled by him, the over lasted 11 balls and went for 23 runs. With the score on 41 and panic setting in Abdul Hoqe decided to take 2 on Joel Oliver’s arm in the deep and was duly run out by a superb throw. The impressive Gaymer then had fellow opener Choudhry LBW as 'Brook fought back with the score at 43 for 2.

With skipper Prabhakar now in, Barwick decided to bring himself into the attack and he bamboozled the home skipper and after three overs he bowled the left hander for just 3 runs from 24 balls with the score on 54. The game then started to swing Wanstead’s way as Quesheri and Dar settled into a good rhythm and with the visitors bowling attack a player short with Ginai not allowed to bowl, the runs piled on. Smith was not on his best form as he went for 45 off his first 6 overs, Jackson could not bowl for a while due to his age after he had bowled 6 overs, so part time bowler Joel Oliver was called upon and he went for 28 from 4 overs.

Barwick decided, after seeking advice from his experienced team mates Irving, Gaymer and Oliver, to bring himself and Gaymer back on as the score had gone to 185 for 3 with just 9 overs remaining. The pair had an over a-piece left and the decision changed the game. Barwick bowled Dar for a fine 48 in his final over giving him superb figures of 2 for 20 from his 8 overs, including 4 maidens. Gaymer then bowled Quesheri with a rasping Yorker for a quality 67, it was now game on! Gaymer was finished also as he ended with 2 for 26 from his 8 overs, another fine spell.

With 5 overs left, 32 runs were needed but Billy Smith then bowled 2 fine overs and Oliver came back and bowled 3 inspired overs. Smith took 1 wicket and Oliver 2, with some fine catches taken by Jackson, Ginai and Barwick. Stuart Greaves then was asked to come on cold and bowl the penultimate over. He responded in superb style going for just 7 runs and Oliver produced another fantastic throw in the over running out Hoqe to leave the score on 218 with the last man in. Oliver bowled the last over and with 4 needed to win off the last ball, Charlie Thompson launched the ball in from mid-wicket as Irving took off the bails leaving 'Brook to win the game by just 2 runs. It was a famous victory for the visitors against the seeded side in the group, and it was a credit to both sides who played the game in a wonderful spirit throughout.