Boland and Smith star with bat and ball

Boland and Smith star with bat and ball as Goresbrook Under 11s put Rainham to the sword, winning by a margin of 97 runs in terriers format. Goresbrook skipper Danny Gillham won the toss for the third game in succession and promptly made the decision to put Rainham into bat on what looked a good batting pitch, but he wanted his side to field in slightly cooler conditions than were expected a little later in the day. Although the game was a 9:30 start the mercury was already hitting 25 and a sizeable early morning crowd had gathered to watch their boys and top-up there tans.

Goresbrook gave debuts to Ben Willis and Krischan Kumar who replaced the injured pair of Khondakar and Dalridge, the rest of the team remained unchanged from the side who had won their last two matches. Smith and Boland opened the bowling and the new ball swung beautifully, causing constant problems for the Rainham opening pair with three wickets taken during this spell. Goresbrook, much improved in the field, took two of these with fine catches, Ted Ivory getting everything behind the ball before finally clinging to a drive before Sam Wood took a fine catch of the bowling of Smith. Boland struck the timbers with an excellent swinging delivery that would have caused anyone problems.

Ivory and George Sleight continued the impressive bowing, Ivory putting the ball on the spot without taking a wicket while the ever improving Sleight found his range and got a deserved wicket. Callum Owen found his range, two tidy overs conceding just two runs and he combined well with debutant Willis. Although a little wayward at times Willis bowled some beauties and took his first wicket. Sam Wood and Kumar paired up to further restrict the flow of runs from Rainham, Sam Wood returning to form and deserved his wicket which came by the way of a well held catch from Willis. Kumar was impressive on debut, grabbing a brace with a well crafted delivery that took out off stump before Boland took a straight forward catch.

Young Stanley Sleight completed the innings with a tidy spell of bowling, conceding just eight runs and none against the bat from his two overs. Smith and Boland came back for a final over each with both adding to there hauls with Smith's second wicket being caught behind the stumps by the ever alert Gillham.

Smith and Wood opened the batting for 'Brook, Smith taking an instant liking to the opening bowlers, dispatching the first ball over mid wicket for 4 on his way to a solid 14 not out, that included two other boundaries. Wood also got the boundary fever with two shots including cracking drive down the ground. Wood was undone by a slower ball and a mistimed drive was caught impressively by Rainham having scored nine runs.

Brothers Sleight continued their batting partnership from last week and impressed throughout, the older Sleight combining fine batting and encouragement for his younger brother. George scored eight not out and not to be undone, Stanley hit a superb four down the leg side off the last ball of the partnership.

Big hitters Boland and Owen were next into action. Boland played without fear in an excellent 17, notching three boundaries before being undone by a superb ball by the impressive Brad from Rainham. Owen played a mature innings as support for Boland, scoring six runs in a partnership that totalled 31.

The final pair into action were Gillham and Ted Ivory. Gillham smashed three fours in his 16 not out and was ably assisted by Ivory who notched two but ran really well between the wickets with Gillham in a closing partnership of 34 to seal a comfortable victory.

Again a good performance in the field by 'Brook and mature batting and bowling performances all through the team. George Smith and Frankie Boland putting in two excellent all round efforts and two fine debut performances. Next week the boys will need to up their game again as they face an in-form Upminster side.