Goresbrook 3's secured their third win of the season against Harold Wood 6ths on Saturday at Robert Clack school.
Losing the toss on a hazy but still exceptionally warm day and being asked to field would not have sat well with the clubs preeminent elder statesman whose initials are A.L. but that's what had to be done and it was going pretty well as Alfie Atkins nabbed a brace courtesy of a stumping by his brother Ben and a fine diving one handed catch by Adam Heerah at cover. Owen Elsom then took 3 wickets, 1 bowled, another catch by Heerah and a well anticipated run around catch behind the keeper by Natiq Khan. Mantan Patel produced 5 well flighted overs and accounted for the hitherto steadfast Tom Tighe for 43. But the bane of the season, sloppy fielding and bowling , returned and allowed visiting skipper Imran Khan to take the score to a more than respectable 210-9 from their 40 over. Teddy Atkins and Dilpreet Singh took a wicket apiece in the last 8 overs.
Woods bowling in reply was probing and it took Goresbrook's opening pair of Hayan Ansari and Alfie Atkins several overs to gauge the swing and bounce on offer but when Ansari fell on 17 trying to force the pace, this brought Taimur Tareen to the crease who did just that, smiting his way to a 26 ball 50.
Alfie Atkins then upped the ante and supported by Natiq Khan took Brook within 30 of victory when Khan fell for 30. Atkins, although tiring, kept up the attack but it was Manthan Patel who hit the winning boundary with more than seven overs to spare leaving Atkins not out on 92.
Once again this was a match played entirely in the right spirit against capable friendly opponents and was enjoyed by all .