Goresbrook's third string battled all the way in this Division 19 clash with Ilford 5's but come up agonizingly short.
Losing the toss and bowling first Hayan Ansari struck early for Brook with a 3 wicket burst. However a fourth wicket partnership, aided by some dubious umpiring and slack bowling and fielding, gave the home team significant momentum until Owen Elsom grabbed 2 quick wickets. Thereafter Brook made regular inroads into the home batters with Sikander Khan, Taimar Tareen and Adam Heerah all taking wickets to restrict Ilford to 166 all out in 37.2 overs.

Goresbrook's reply started very slowly and early wickets looked costly but strong cameos from Hayan Ansari, Sikander Khan and Owen Elsom got Brook back in the hunt and sensible strike farming from Natiq Khan got Brook to within 3 of victory when he was castled leaving Brook agonizingly short.. Next week sees Brook at Robert Clack school against GPR 5ths.

Photo by Peter Leavis