Champions !

Goresbrook’s 1st eleven were crowned Division 3 Champions of the Hamro Foundation Essex Cricket League after mounting a stunning comeback at Stanford-le-Hope Rec on Saturday. Visiting Captain Kane Messenger won the toss and elected to bat on a sunny afternoon but was rueing his decision as the hosts attack took full advantage of the new ball. Springbok paceman Josh Fransman tore into ‘Brook’s early batting as the Dagenham outfit slumped to 78 for 7. Opener Shaun Ross held firm with a resilient 29 seeing a succession of partners disappearing back to the pavilion with no fewer than six recording a dreaded duck. Shane Barwick battled for 24 before being cleaned up by Fransman who returned 6 for 33. Jordan Harris entered the fray and mixed dogged defence with some exuberant strokeplay – the 30 year old fashioning 9 fours and a maximum in a superb unbeaten 59 from 77 balls. Livash Ramduth, batting at eleven, hung around with Harris facing 22 deliveries and the pair were able to post a last wicket stand of 36 to throw ’Brook a lifeline with a disappointing total of 139 all out. Stanford le Hope were forced to endure 13 overs before tea and this passage of play proved precarious for the hosts as a hostile spell from Messenger reduced them to 27 for 2 when the break came.

After the interval Lee Knight (29), Robert Page (17) and Jack Scutt (20) appeared to have steadied the ship as 'Hope eased to 77 for 3 and appeared in sight of an early victory. What followed was probably the most incredible 45 minutes the clubs 42 year history as Messenger accelerated through the gears, proving unplayable as he decimated ‘Hope’s rearguard. Jordan Calverley and Ramduth cranked up the atmosphere with a scalp apiece and when Daryl Forward’s direct hit ran out Adam Knight the game hung in the balance. Messenger then closed out the innings completing match figures of 7 for 19 to send the large Goresbrook contingent into raptures.
A lot of credit for the season’s success must go to Coach, Paul Cook. In his second season at the Club, the Robert Clack Schoolmaster has built on last year’s momentum, with his practical approach and hard working ethic reaping dividends as Goresbrook enjoy elevation to Division Two of the league.

Goresbrook 1st 139 all out in 31.5 overs (20 points) beat Stanford-le-Hope 1st 94 all out in 32.2 overs (4 pts) by 45 runs

Goresbrook turned out again in search of more silverware at Loughton the following Wednesday (6th) for the Sunday League T20 Cup Final but were thwarted by opponents Waltham in a five wicket reversal.