Home Skipper, Kane Messenger, won the toss and elected to bat first in this ‘local derby’ at the M & B Sports Ground on Saturday. Opener Lee Jones was in majestic form fashioning a plethora of cuts and drives, yielding ten boundaries on his way to an entertaining 62. Shane Barwick picked up the baton with a splendid half century of his own, the left hander caressing 8 fours in a pivotal unbeaten knock of 79. Dipyan Paul’s economical spell of 2 for 34 from 16 overs of spin, threatened to derail ‘Brook’s advances but Messenger (17 not) played a captain’s innings when joining Barwick for the eighth wicket partnership. Over the last five overs the pair mixed sharp running with a combination of lusty shots to compile an unbroken stand of 58 which secured eight batting points, as the hosts closed on 208 for 7 from 50 overs.

After tea, Aztecs batted within themselves, buoyed by knocks from Dipyan Paul (42) and an excellent undefeated 54 from Angelo Jayasinghe. Indeed, when drinks were taken with the last hour coming into play, the visitors looked long odds on to secure a victory. The refreshment break had a positive effect on Goresbrook’s bowlers as Sydney Russell Schoolmaster, Livash Ramduth, reeled off four wickets to turn the game on it’s head. Ted Ivory, Daryl Forward, Saad bin Yousuf and Barwick all picked up important scalps but with the tail exposed, Jayasinghe turned to dogged defence to enable his side to hang on for a draw.

Goresbrook 1st 208 for 7 from 50 Overs (11 points) drew with Aztecs 1st 167 for 8 from 45 Overs (5 points)