Goresbrook’s first eleven travelled to Oakfield Parkonians at Fairlop on Saturday.

Home captain Parran Kalley won the toss and invited the visitors to bat first and the hosts drew first blood when Taranpreet Bhatia trapped Toriqal Islam leg before having made 9. Fellow opener ‘keeper, Imon Ahmed, took up the gauntlet and fashioned 6 fours and a maximum on his way to an excellent 43. Ahmed played the perfect foil for in-form skipper Jordan Calverley who entered the fray and made his intentions clear from the off. The 32 year old right hander produced an exhilarating selection of pulls, cuts and drives as he despatched the bowling to all corners of the ground in a magnificent century. Calverley struck 16 fours and a towering six before departing having compiled a run a ball nelson (111). Shane Barwick (31) and Kane Messenger (25) respectively, continued the misery for the home attack before the returning Bhatia (4 for 83) picked up some late wickets to arrest the charge. Kalley supported with 3 for 58 but the Dagenham outfit closed on a daunting 255 for 8 from their maximum entitlement of 50 overs.

After tea, 15 year old Robert Clack paceman Maswer Mansoor fired a two wicket salvo including the valuable wicket of overseas star player Eknath Kerkar for a duck. Faisal Bhatti (61) and Umar Choudhry (52) maintained the required run rate but the introduction of Messenger who held a brilliant return catch and bagged a sharp run out turned the tide. Barwick’s intelligent left arm spin wrought havoc as he racked up 4 for 61. Kalley played a captains innings before being cleaned up by Messenger for 48 whilst Klain Fernando (31 not) sensibly saw ‘Parks through to a draw.

Goresbrook 1st 255 for 8 from 50 Overs (11 points) drew with Oakfield Parkonians 1st 225 for 8 from 45 Overs (7 points)