Rooke flays SOSEMT

Goresbrook maintained their unbeaten record in the Essex Sunday League East Division with a fine win over SNEL Division One side Southend on Sea. Kurt Whisker (31) and Craig Irving (21) ensured that the hosts got off to a flying start in a match reduced to 35 overs after afternoon showers, however it was tall right hander Michael Rooke who really caught the eye with a fine 75 before becoming the first of Matt Wagstaff’s 2 victims.

A close to full strength Goresbrook side still had batting to come however and middle order stalwarts Richard Williamson (36) and Jordan Harris (27*) ensured that Brook set a formidable total of 227-6 for their visitors to chase.

In response, the seasiders lost early wickets to Matt Friend (2-40) and Joe Barwick (1-33) and then the middle order were stifled by 17 year old spinners Shane Barwick and Billy Smith who bowled with excellent control to concede just 30 runs from 11 overs. That left Richard Williamson (2-11) and paceman Israel Ochwo (3-14) to clean up the tail as Goresbrook completed a comfortable win.

Despite having won all four of their completed games, Goresbrook’s bad luck with the rain is likely to prove their downfall in the East Division as Upminster are also unbeaten, but they have only lost one game to the weather versus Goresbrook’s three, leaving them 6 points clear of Brook with a game in hand, Southend and Stanford le Hope also maintaining an outside interest in the championship race