Goresbrook U9's travelled to Coopers school in Upminster on Sunday for this friendly fixture.
Tommy Smith won the toss and elected to bowl.
Once again the youngsters were keen in the field but gave away a few too many wides. 6 year old Liam Elsom grabbed his first ever wicket in just his third U9's game in his 1-8 spell. Stanley Sleight and Grace Wood bowled well in tandem conceding just 4 runs - Sleight bowling 2 maidens in his 0-0 and Wood 1 maiden in her 0-4.
Paranpreet Singh effected 2 run outs- one a an impressive direct hit- but it was Tommy Smith who grabbed the headlines with a spell of 3-6 thanks to catches from his brother Albie and from Tyler Fredericks plus bowling one victim. However the 16 wide deliveries made up the bulk of Upminsters final total of 238-6 and this was ultimately to prove costly.
Brooks reply faltered immediately when Albert Sleight was bowled second ball but he and Archie Dias (0*) protected their wickets with diligence after that and put on 4 in their partnership. Albie Smith and Liam Elsom found the going just as hard and lost their wickets 3 times in a partnership of 8. Stanley Sleight hit a boundary to square leg in his undefeated knock of 5 as did Tyler Fredericks (5*).Fredericks and Kenny Huynh(2*) were Brooks only undefeated pairing putting on 15 in their partnership
Skipper Tommy Smith (6) partnered by Paranpreet Singh(3*) knew they had a mountain to climb as they needed 25 runs from the final partnership to win the game but when Smith offered up a return catch 2nd ball the chances of a victory were realistically gone. Nevertheless the boys battled gamely to put 15 before two final wickets wrapped up a 23 run victory for Upminster.