2's roll on

Craig Ivey took his unbeaten 2's to the quaint Memorial Ground in Chelmsford and produced a workmanlike performance to keep their run going.

Skipper Ivey won the toss and inserted the hosts on a drying wicket.

Goresbrook's openers made a good start with the floating guile of Joe Barwick (1 for 26) removing opener Goward for 9 and the pacey Shaun Ross (1 for 16) trapping Bowerman LBW for 4.

The 2's openers make for an odd couple (in many ways, but that's a different story), as whilst Ross is all wiry athleticism and wide eyed effort, the flame haired Barwick's fine run of form is leading seasoned observers to recall the halcyon days of another 'drift' bowler Lee 'Bridge' Wilkinson. Both men are unconcerned as to whether the pitch will spin, bounce or seam, preferring instead to favour the subtle use of whatever air currents may be prevailing in the locality to bamboozle the batsman, air currents which are usually judged by measuring the smoke from their pre-spell fag.

After the new ball spells Capt Ivey then decided to make a double change bringing on the leg spin of Lawrence Walsh & the pace of returning Brighton University student Matt Friend and that pair, another contrast between pace and guile, ripped through the homesters taking 5 wickets between them.

Friend finished with figures of 3 for 27 including the dangerous pair of Joy (27) & Sibley (28) who top scored for the home side.

Veteran Walsh continued his comeback to competitive cricket with respectable figures of 2 for 32 from 10 and it is to be hoped that the golf course won't call again until September...

Not one to rest on his laurels, or indeed turn down the opportunity for a couple of late scalps, Ivey introduced himself & all rounder Bryan Atkins to the attack and again that change bore fruit immediately, as Ivey wrapped up the innings finishing with (trademark) figures of 2 for 4, the innings closing on 132 all out.

In reply the ‘Invincibles’ openers (a title which is surely tempting fate), Curley & Scott, got off to a steady start reaching 30 before Aaron Scott was trapped LBW by the left arm swing of Michael Hadjimichael. This brought in all rounder Atkins to join the in form Joe Curley.

Curley continued his good form by timing the ball as well as any player in Goresbrooks four elevens, hitting the boundary eight times before he was bowled by a low one from Hadjimichael.

Goresbrook had a mini wobble when Mr Reliable, Keith Friend, was
Bowled for 0 by Hadjimichael but 15 year old Matchplay captain Charlie Thompson steadied the ship with the experienced Atkins adding 34 for the 4th wicket before Thompson chipped one up to mid off after scoring 14 to become Hadjimichael’s 4th victim.

Hadjimichael finished with figures of 4 for 38 from his 12 overs, much the pick of the hosts attack.

Atkins was then joined by the hard hitting Dunston Alfred and the pair started to dominate the home teams bowling with a combination of big shots & clever running.

Bryan Atkins showed his class & patience by waiting for the bad ball and dispatching it to the boundary 7 times in his undefeated 40, while Alfred, revelling in the opportunity to bat with somebody in his power and weight class, sent the ball over the ropes four times including the games only six as Goresbrook IIs won by 6 wickets and continued in their quest of emulating the great Arsenal football team of 2003/4.

Skipper Ivey said after the game “We were missing a few of our regulars today but the boys who came in stepped up to the mark. I was particularly pleased with Bryan Atkins & Joe Curley who remained focused despite their vehicle striking a stray deer on their way to the game an incident which could have been much worse then the broken headlight they received”.

Curley was more philosophical about the accident, "Although it was a shock, I had full confidence in Bryan's control of the situation. I've seen him take on much bigger beasts than that on the dancefloor in Romford of a Saturday night."