By Michael Parker
THE league season ended in soggy disappointment for Thurrock’s 3rd XI as they missed an opportunity to claim the league title to go along with the promotion that was already confirmed a couple of weeks ago.
Their main rivals for the title, Tillingham II suffered a surprise home defeat to Old Chelmsfordians on the final day of the season. Thurrock failed to capitalise on this as they themselves went down to third-placed Goresbrook, who could also be promoted depending on league restructuring. Skipper Tyrone Owen won the toss and inserted the visitors on a low, damp pitch that looked more suited to early May than late August!
Lofty seamer Portland Bill West made good use of the green pitch and helped himself to three top order wickets courtesy of the hands of Michael Parker at second slip, Brijesh Venkatachalam at point and Dean ‘All Inclusive’ Wright at cover. Fellow opening bowler Alfie Feeney had Lowe caught behind by the evergreen Alan Fullbrook and his crumbling 1972 Skegness knobbly knee competition winning patellas!
Batsman Atkins started to get some runs so Owen brought Jesse Ryder lookalike Michael Parker and the teams very own spoilt child, Tom Redman into the attack. Parker removed Atkins with a slower ball yorker that clattered the stumps. Well, he doesn’t bowl any other speed to be fair, and he followed this up with Gilliam being trapped LBW.
Meanwhile, the child at the other end was adding to his already impressive haul of wickets in his first regular year in the senior sides. He had both Parnells caught, by Iain Oakley and skipper Owen. All rounder Dean Wright, looking all rounder after his honeymoon, came into the attack for the final overs. He curtailed the late hitting of Atkins thanks to a catch from Feeney and this left Goresbrook on a very chaseable 134/9 after their allotted 40 overs. The problem is that by now the rain had started.
The rain continued during tea and all through the Thurrock innings, but to be fair with a title to win there was never any danger of going off, unfortunately a combination of good bowling, poor shots and very difficult batting conditions also meant that was never any danger of chasing down the required target as the Thurrock batting collapsed for the first time in the season at the worst possible time as well!
Only Feeney and Brijesh managed double figures as the Thurrock card looked more like a phone number than a scorebook! Wickets were shared amongst the Goresbrook youthful bowling attack as Thurrock were bowled out in the damp and gloom for just 69 runs, their lowest of the season.
Although it was a gloomy end to the season, metaphorically and meteorologically, it was a case of job done for the Thurrock third string as they finished runners-up and can now look forward to the dizzy heights of Division 8 cricket next season! See you all next year!
