Lazy Sunday afternoon

Goresbrook secured a top 4 finish and place in the inaugural Essex Sunday League play-offs with a win over neighbours Gidea Park & Romford that was less comfortable than it might have been. Park started positively with Jamal Francis hitting 26 before nicking Joe Barwick to keeper Jordan Harris, but Elliot Joyner with 43 ensured that the visitors innings reached 70-3, however once he was run out by a swooping Kane Messenger, the remaining wickets tumbled at regular intervals, Gidea Park eventually being bowled out for 152 in the 35th over. The Barwick cousins Joe (2 for 44) and Shane (2-21) being the pick of the bowling alongside Craig Ivey who took 2 for 26.

The Goresbrook reply started steadily with both Aaron Scott (22) and Jordan Harris (23) being dismissed when looking well set, but a fine, if even steadier knock of 33, from 14 year old Danny Gillham jnr anchored the remainder of the chase. He was supported by a quickfire 20 from Stuart Greaves and then once the innings had a minor wobble with Gillham and Jordan Calverley dismissed in quick succession, a composed 21* from Shane Barwick saw Brook home off the final ball of the penultimate over, ensuring that everybody got their money and overs worth from the afternoon.

We will now finish either 3rd or 4th in the ESL Premier Division, a great achievement in our first season in the top flight, achieved whilst giving invaluable experience to a number of younger players against some good cricketers.

If Waltham win their final two matches, we will finish 4th and visit Chelmsford in the play-off semi-finals. One slip up from Waltham, who still have to play Belhus, themselves in contention for a playoff spot and we will finish 3rd and visit Buckhurst Hill. The semi-final will take place on the first or second Sunday in September, with the ESL Premier Division final being at Billericay on Sunday 18 Sept, possibly alongside the promotion playoff final between the east/west Division winners.