The big day once again saw a superb turnout from club members, friends and families an estimated 150 people with Goresbrook connections descending on the County ground to support a side who were all in playing their final Colts game for the club, as uniquely this u16 side were all 16, having pretty much to a man come through together from u11 level.

All 11 were state school educated, as were the 2006 side and whilst the 2006 side were all educated in LBBD, in the intervening years the club's junior reputation had grown to such an extent that boys from as far afield as Rainham, Hornchurch and Romford were clamouring to don the goat (or at least making enquiries when they couldn't get a game at bigger clubs).

In the event, we once again came second, but whereas nerves and a fine Colchester attack made short work of the 2006 side, the 2013 team gave a battling performance against a Loughton side who completed an unbeaten season to be deservedly crowned the best under 16 side in the County.

Loughton finished on exactly 200, which the Goresbrook bowling and fielding, led by a majestic performance from MotM spinner Callum Shepherd, did well to reign in after Buckhurst Hill first teamer Mohib Shah threatened something all together more imposing early on.

However the Loughton spin attack was a force to be reckoned with and despite several starts and a joyous cameo from Ausman Ginai late on, Brook struggled to string together partnerships and lost their key men to talented finger spinner Bukhari, ultimately finishing on 144.

Our report and Loughton's which features the card for the game are linked below

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/goresbrookcricketclub/j/match-centre-76154/0-1908311/

http://loughtoncc.hitscricket.com/scorecard/fixtureID_360743/MatchPlay-v-Goresbrook-18-Aug-2013.aspx

The boys of 2013

Bobby Gaymer - opened the bowling and the batting in the 16's and was a regular in the 2nd XI the following year, which became the first side to win promotion in the whole of the TRippon league last year after reeling off 11 straight wins to start the season. Now at Uni in Worcester.

Jack Stead - made big strides in his final year with Goresbrook and after scoring runs in the 2's in the second half of 2013, left in 2014 to pursue the SNEL dream with Hadleigh & Thundersley where he played some 1's cricket in 2014 and subsequently at Westcliff on Sea. The door is always open for a return Jack....

Shane Barwick - crowned Essex CCB recreational player of the season for 2013 after a series of fine performances leading his side to Chelmsford in addition to 49 wickets at 8.84 plus 400 runs in league cricket for the 1's. Backed that up with another selection to the Recreational XI in 2014 and is now looking forward to a challenge in the T Rippon Premier Division this season, back injury permitting

Ben Irving - Still scoring runs, taking wickets and occasionally donning the gloves, mostly for the 3's in 2014, Ben slipped out of Saturday cricket in 2015, but will hopefully make a return in 2016 via the u19 T20 competition.

Stuart Greaves - the first of the 16's to get a driving licence, which saw him become an away game specialist in 2014 playing for the 2's, 3's and 4's. A late developing talent who is one to watch for 2016, not least in nets where his bouncers from 17 yards are lethal. Now at Uni in Oxford (Brookes)

Joel Oliver - there was no more committed club man, fielder or football than Joel, who retired from cricket on the spot after the end of the final. Still works behind the bar at the club.

Liam Addison - a somewhat reluctant if very talented cricketer whose comeback in 2013 provided a boost to the Goresbrook ranks, Liam joined the club after he and Bobby Gaymer were the standout (not least in height) competition to Shane Barwick's legendary Godwin side at the LBBD Kwik Cricket festival in 2008. Another who sadly stopped playing cricket after the final.

Ausman Ginai - a talented if enigmatic all-rounder, Usman played elsewhere with his family on Sundays and his last innings as a Goresbrook player was a memorable 23 in the final, during which he peppered the off-side boundary several times. Went on to make his mark in senior cricket at Harold Wood.

Aaron Scott - another late developer, Aaron was voted 3rd XI batsmen of the year for 2014 after a number of knocks around which their promotion campaign was built. With the addition of another scoring gear, Aaron established himself in the 2's in 2015. Next stop the 1's....

Billy Smith - ended the 2013 season at Chelmsford and taking 5 wicket hauls in the 1st XI as they clinched the ECCL title for the second time. Cooled off a little bit in 2014, but formed a lethal spin duo with Lol Walsh as the 2's romped to the T Rippon Div 4 title.

Callum Shepherd - Crowned man of the match at Chelmsford after taking 3-29, Cal took the plaudits, savoured the moment and then promptly retired (not for the first time) from cricket. Still seen around the club occasionally and often on Sky or BT amongst a group of depressed men wearing claret & blue watching West Ham lose again on the road.

Also featured on the route to Chelmsford:

Harry Jackson and Charlie Thompson - both back again for another Matchplay tilt in 2015 and working their way through the Goresbrook senior XI's

Manager Scott Barwick The only bowler in club history to take 100 wickets in a season, the General is usually to be found with a beer in hand dispensing wisdom on the rope in the second session of home games on a Saturday afternoon. After managing the side for their entire Colts career there was no more emotional man after the final. A job well done urrrrrrrm.