Braintree’s First Eleven are still searching for their first victory of the season after suffering a humiliating 234 run defeat at the hands of table topping Maldon.
Maldon’s skipper won the toss and unsurprisingly elected to bat first, the decision was vindicated as Chris Harris and Ross Walpole got the home side got off to a good start accumulating 46 runs from the opening 8 overs. With the score on 46, Maldon lost their first wicket as Walpole was clean bowled by Robbie Spalding having scored 15. Max Bryant joined Harris at the crease and runs continued to flow as they quickly put on 35 runs for the second wicket. That was until Harris, when on 43, pulled Chris Hinks to deep mid-wicket and Bryn Powell making up a lot of ground took a spectacular catch.
This only brought Jimmy Ainscough to join Bryant and the pair put 125 runs for the third wicket. Eventually, Hinks had Bryant adjudged LBW after he’d scored 61. Chris Leech brought himself onto bowl and claimed the wicket of Ainscough, dismantling his stumps when he was on 85.
Maldon continued the onslaught, however Hinks managed to claim 2 further wickets having Harry Grant (25) caught in the deep by Rory Ainsley and Matt Wild (13) was caught behind by Matt Renvoize. Connah Thompson, Maldon’s overseas played, looked a class act however, he was bowled by Spalding for 23 off the final ball off the allotted 45 overs. The home side had amassed a total of 306 for the loss of 7 wickets.
In reply the Dolphins got off to the worst possible start as Matt Renvoize was caught behind by Ainscough without troubling the scorers and then Chris Leech was given out LBW having scored just 4. Chris Hinks was soon trudging back to the pavilion as he guided the ball to Harris in the slips after he’d scored 6. When Rory Ainsley (1) was clean bowled and Bryn Powell (15) edged the ball into Ainscough’s gloves, Braintree had been reduced to 28 runs with half their team having lost their wickets.
Robbie Spalding and Luke Gouldstone showed more aggression until Robbie was bowled for 16 and Luke was eventually caught by Ainscough for 10 after hitting the ball so high that it almost went into orbit. Braintree’s innings spluttered to a close on only 72 as Geoff Eveling (2) and Milo Edwards (3) were adjudged LBW whilst Grace Poole (2) was bowled.