Goresbrook’s first eleven slipped to a 49 run defeat against visitors, Harold Wood, at the M & B Sports Ground on Saturday. Visiting skipper Shahzad Hafeez won the toss and he duly elected to bat first on a good wicket.

His decision was vindicated as Usman Shafi (46) and Eesa Haseem (35) compiled a valuable opening stand of 85 before the former became the first leg of Kane Messengers five wicket haul, at a cost of 39 runs, from 9 excellent overs. Craig Perrin was the mainstay of the remainder of Wood’s innings accumulating a sparkling 65, before capitulating to the fiery Messenger. Solid batting was the feature of Harold Wood’s performance as all the first seven batters attained double figures with the willow. Muhammad Attuallah and Ted Ivory fought back with the ball each, bagging a brace of scalps, as ‘Wood were bowled out for 231 with just over two of their allocated 50 overs unused.

After the departure of Lee Jones for 5, ‘keeper Imon Ahmed struck five 4’s and a six in an entertaining 32. Ahmed was joined at the crease by his Captain Calverley who led his side’s reply by example, stroking a superb 71 from 94 balls. The 32 year old, right handed bat, fashioned 8 fours and a towering maximum in his knock before being run out. Attuallah continued his good form with a belligerent 30 whilst Messenger provided a late cameo with 13 before being undone by Farhan Javeed. Tall left arm spinner, Javeed, ultimately, proved to be ‘Wood’s match winner with his 6 for 25 cutting through the hosts’ resistance to earn the spoils for the visitors.

Harold Wood 1st 231 all out 47.5 Overs (20 points) beat Goresbrook 1st 182 all out from 41.4 Overs (6 points) by 49 runs