BURNHAM Sports found Goresbrook too hot to handle in their top of the table clash at the parched May & Baker ground in Dagenham.

Sports were second best in all departments, although they gave a fair account of themselves and the home team’s winning margin of 101 runs slightly flattered them.

“We knew Goresbrook were going to be a strong team and they were simply too good for us,” Jame Hamilton, the Burnham captain, said. “I was disappointed with our fielding display but the bowlers stuck and, batting wise, they gave us very little.”

Goresbrook had no hesitation in choosing to bat on a sultry day after winning the toss and battled hard to accumulate 269 for seven from their allotted 45 overs given the unpredictable nature of the pitch.

The visiting attack beat the bat on countless occasions and had a couple of loud LBW shouts rejected as Goresbrook progressed to 180 for two after 33 overs.

Sports feared the worst at that stage, especially with prolific opening bat Whisker still at the crease, but pegged the hosts back to 191 for five despite sportingly calling back an opponent who was initially given out caught behind.

With left-handed Whisker dismissed for 94, an innings that included 19 boundaries, Burnham felt that they had got back in the game, but Harris (36) and Maund (31) responded positively.

Sports needed a good start in reply and were stunned when Sayeid Ahmed, top of their batting averages going into the game, was bowled first ball by the speedy Ochwo.

From there, they progressed to 94 for two but, by then, 24 overs had elapsed and they had slipped behind the clock.

With two accurate spinners on, and the field pushed back, Sports were gradually suffocated in a game played in good spirit throughout.

Pick of the Burnham batsmen was Neil Saunders, who opened the batting and hit a fluent 42. He hit seven of his team’s 18 boundaries.

Despite the reverse, Sports have clung on to top spot in division one, though it can surely only be a matter of time before Goresbrook assume pole position.