Derby Blues

Goresbrook’s 1st Eleven slumped to a 4 wicket reversal in this rain interrupted local derby at The M & B Sports Ground on Saturday. Visiting Skipper Shan Shafiq won the toss and invited the hosts to bat. Opening bowler Hazrat Shah vindicated his captain’s decision with a match winning spell of 6 for 48, bagging vital Goresbrook scalps at regular intervals. Shaun Ross battled against the quicks with a resilient 28 whilst Shane Barwick stepped on the gas after the second of the breaks for rain with an entertaining 43. Home skipper Kane Messenger added 24 late in the day but the damage was completed by Abdul Razzaq’s 3 wicket return, reducing the Dagenham outfit to 122 all out.

After tea the Messenger turned up the throttle with the new ball helping himself to five wickets as the home side fought back. Raihan Hussain held his sides reply together with a dogged 34 whilst Eman Shaikh played some excellent shots in an entertaining 49. It was, however, Shah who completed a fine all round display with an unbeaten 11 to clinch a six wicket success for the men from the west of the borough.

Goresbrook 1st 122 all out in 35.2 overs (2 points) lost to Barking 1st 126 for 6 from 34.2 overs (20 pts)