U16's Matchplay Final at Chelmsford

Goresbrook U16's arrived at the beautiful County Ground Chelmsford en-mass for the 2013 Matchplay Final, with an estimated 150 plus following. After 7 years of being together it was a fitting way for this group of players, all of whom are now 16, to end their colts careers for the club. After a good warm up the toss was carried out and Loughton won it electing to bat first on a rock hard flat track.

Nerves seem to be evident in the Goresbrook side as the new ball was somewhat wasted again by Gaymer and Addison and the fielding was edgy, as Shah was dropped early on by the normally reliable Joel Oliver. The score raced on to 59 without loss in 9 overs when 'Brook struck for the first time as Shah was brilliantly caught by Ben Irving down the leg side off Gaymer for 33. Runs continued to come freely however, forcing skipper Shane Barwick to introduce his own left arm spin along with the off-breaks of Billy Smith, so often the key bowlers for this side. They bowled well to tighten up the run rate and at drinks Loughton were 105 for 1.

After the interval, Barwick decided to bring on his third spin option of Callum Shepherd and it was an inspired decision, as with his very first ball he had Khail stumped smartly by Irving. In his second over he struck again taking opener Gymer for 39 again caught by the impressive Irving. Liam Addison came back and was much improved and he struck having Patel superbly caught by Ausman Ginai with the score on 117. Loughton picked up the rate again briefly until with score on 145 Shepherd struck for the third time having Omar caught in the deep in fine fashion by Stuart Greaves, as 'Brook kept fighting back.

Barwick returned to the attack and he immediately bowled Nijjar for 7, giving Goresbrook the opportunity to potentially wrap up the Loughton innings for less than 200. However although Gaymer also came back into the attack and he bowled Nicholls for 21, Loughton batted all the way down the order, with Parry being the last man to fall, run out by Barwick for 12, as Loughton kept the scoreboard ticking over to the end, finishing their allotted 40 overs on exactly 200, it was a really gutsy, fighting display by the Dagenham based side against a very powerful Loughton batting line up.

In reply Brook started in positive mode as openers Jack Stead and Bobby Gaymer struck 40 off the first 10 overs. Stead was looking ominously good until he was bowled by spinner Bukhari for 22 with the score on 47. Shane Barwick joined Gaymer but he was finding it hard to show the fantastic form he had shown all season against some very good bowling. Gaymer fell caught well by Khail for 22 as he tried to go over the top. In-form Ben Irving came to the crease and struck a nice boundary but was then caught for just 4, as wickets began falling and the runs were drying up. The score at the halfway stage was 62 for 3 leaving 'Brook an uphill task in the second 20 overs.

Barwick was still struggling to find his feet but was then given out lbw for 8. Greaves struck a big 6 and then he was given out lbw also, as the ball flicked the outside of his pad. When Oliver fell for 0 bowled playing across the line 'Brook were in turmoil reeling at 76 for 6, but then they showed all the fighting spirit they had displayed all season to get to the final, with Ausman Ginai and Liam Addison putting on an entertaining 41 partnership in 8 overs, before Addison was caught for 15 trying to attack the ball.

Aaron Scott joined Ginai and the crowd were loving the effort shown, Ginai was superbly caught right on the boundary rope by Patel for an enterprising 23 that entertained the crown to the extent that he walked off to a big reception. Smith was bowled for 1 as the score was on just 127 for 9 but then Goresbrook's man of the match Shepherd joined Scott and they battled hard and picked up runs as best they could taking the score to a respectable 144 all out when Shepherd was run out for 9, leaving Scott unbeaten on 7 as Loughton won the final by 56 runs.

It was to be a defeat to finish this Goresbrook sides colts careers, but they were greeted to a standing ovation by the superb Goresbrook supporters showing them how well they had played and what a great season they have had.