Barwick and Rukon Make Hay

Goresbrook’s 1st Eleven cemented their position at the top of the table with a resounding seven wicket success at Coxtie Green on Saturday. Visiting skipper Kane Messenger won the toss and invited Bentley to bat on a good track. Opening bowlers Ted Ivory (2 for 45) and Messenger himself (3 for 47) struck early with the new ball and a sharp run out from Jordan Harris had the hosts reeling on 54 for 3. Phil Coleman then took up the gauntlet fashioning 8 fours and 2 maximums in a polished 79, which formed the backbone his side’s total. Billy Chapman entered the fray, yorking Tom Mann with his first delivery, before going on to return of 3 for 29. When Jordan Calverley threw down Bluntish’s stumps, Bentley appeared done and dusted on 161 for 8. Oliver Beaney (40) and ‘keeper Laurence Pulford (23) had other ideas, hauling the hosts back into the match with a fine 9th wicket partnership of 66. The returning Messenger accounted for both batsmen as the home side reached a challenging 234 all out form 47.4 overs.

After tea the Dagenham outfit’s batsmen produced an impressive display with the willow. Shaun Ross hung around for 5 in an opening stand of 52 to give Goresbrook an early fillip whilst opening partner Juber Rukon struck half a dozen boundaries on his way to an entertaining 52. Number three, Jordan Calverley, displayed a cool head with a resilient 33, laying the groundwork for Shane Barwick and Danny Gillham (jnr) to conclude matters without further ado. Barwick found the rope on 11 occasions, accumulating an unbeaten 76 from only 56 balls whilst keeper Gillham caressed 7 boundaries in his faultless 38 as the pair shared an unbroken stand of 83 to steer the Division 3 leaders home to a handsome 7 wicket victory. ‘Brook now face trips to Harlow, Newham and Stanford-le-Hope with the outcome of the title in their own hands.

Bentley 1st 234 all out in 47.4 overs (4 points) lost to Goresbrook 1st 235 for 3 in 43 overs (20 pts) by 7 wickets