Oh Danny Boy !

‘Brook continued their push for the Sunday League ‘double’ with a comfortable 175 run victory over Buckhurst Hill. Fielding an entire eleven of players who had graduated through their Colts Section, the hosts maintained their unbeaten record with the day belonging to 21 year old Danny Gillham (jnr). Goresbrook skipper Ted Ivory won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat first on a good track at the M & B Sports Ground. Afzal Hussain (55) and Jordan Harris (52) signalled ‘Brook’s intentions in the early exchanges with excellent half centuries. Jaydeep Dhuria’s accurate spell of 4 for 22 threatened to scupper the hosts’ designs on a big tally before Gillham arrived at the crease. Batting at the unfamiliar No.8 slot he proceeded to despatch the visiting attack to all corners of the ground, fashioning 13 fours and 3 maximums before being run out for a career best 118. Gillham received sterling support from 19 year old Pawanpreet Singh who finished unbeaten on 26, the pair adding 133 for the 9th wicket, lifting the home side to a mammoth 312 for 9 from their allotted 40 overs.

After tea, Dhuria (28), Dinesh Weragoda (26) and Ramesh Jain (26) made good contributions with the willow but Daryl Forward (3 for 27) applied the brakes to ‘Hill’s run chase. 16 year old William Preston and Shane Barwick bagged a brace of victims apiece with Ben Atkins, Lee Jones and captain Ivory claiming solitary scalps to ease the Dagenham side over the line.

Goresbrook 312 for 9 from 40 Overs (18 points) beat Buckhurst Hill 137 all out from 36 Overs (5 points) by 175 Runs