Fun and games at Belhus Festival

Goresbrook U9,'s returned for a third visit in as many weeks to Belhus for a tournament featuring 10 x 8 a side teams from around South Essex.
Four pitches were set up around the outfield and Belhus CC provided the umpires and the refreshments.
Brook had a bye in the first hour so the team warmed up with the help of some U11 and U13 players on the selection of bouncy castles while many of the parents warmed up with a burger from the BBQ and a pint from the bar- much to the local wasps delight.
Brooks first game was against Leigh on Sea, who fielded perhaps the days most experienced players, who won the toss and chose to bat first. Indeed the small boundaries were breached and cleared on numerous occasions by the batsmen as they amassed a total of 66-3 from their 8 overs with Goresbrook wickets for Harry Ivory and Albie Smith, who also nabbed a run out.
Goresbrook's reply soon fell behind the required rate so despite only losing one wicket and 10* from Harry Ivory and 15* including a six from Albert Sleight, there was simply too much to do and the innings petered out to a 15 run defeat.
Brooks triumvirate of skippers: Albie Smith and the Sleight brothers Stanley and Albert decided to change things in the second match against Stanford Le Hope starting with the smallest players and working through to the big hitters at the end. This policy clearly worked as no wickets were lost while the youngsters amassed 65-0 from their 8 overs. Archie Dias dancing down the wicket first ball to smash a four was the highlight but 10* from both of the Sleight brothers and Liam Elsom top scoring with 12* showed Brooks strength in depth.
Bella Boland courtesy of an Albert Sleight catch and Archie Dias both struck early then Liam Elsom and Harry Ivory both turned the screw with wicket maidens. Stanford's lower order hit a few boundaries but could only muster 36-4 in the end to leave Brook comfortable victors.
The third and final game was against Orsett. The same formula was applied to the batting line up and this again paid dividends as Albie Smith hit 10, Liam Elsom an undefeated 14 and Stanley Sleight an undefeated 16 all in boundaries as Brook scored 64-3.
Orsett's reply got off to a flyer as the first two balls were creamed across the rope but after another conflab in the middle Stanley Sleight quietened things down with a wicket maiden. Further wickets for Albert Sleight, Liam Elsom and Archie Dias meant Orsett could only reach 30-4 at the end to leave Brook again comfortable winners.
Coaches Dave Whisker and Owen Elsom were delighted with the days performances from all the players. Freddie Atkins was a dynamo in the field on debut and Ben Atkins coped admirably in his first game. Riley Biggs has made huge strides in a mere 4 weeks since he first arrived at the club and bowled a fantastic over to close out the final game. Bella Boland continues to improve with both bat and ball.
The rest of the squad: Albie Smith, Stanley and Albert Sleight, Harry Ivory, Archie Dias and Liam Elsom all display great all round potential which can only put them in good stead when they advance, as some already have, to the more senior teams in the years to come.
Brook batting: (total/ outs)
Freddie Atkins 8/0; Stanley Sleight 31/0; Albie Smith 23/2; Albert Sleight 26/0 Liam Elsom 26/1; Harry Ivory 15/0; Archie Dias 14/0
Brook bowling:
Harry Ivory 2-4; Liam Elsom 2-6; Archie Dias 2-19; Albert Sleight 2-22; Stanley Sleight 1-11; Bella Boland 1-12; Albie Smith 1-19; Riley Biggs 0-3; Ben Atkins 0-21 and Freddie Atkins 0-29.
Many thanks today to Paul Atkins for scoring and to all the parents and supporters who came along to cheer the youngsters on.