Braintree Cricket Club’s First Eleven secured their second Two Counties Championship, Division 2 victory of the season at Woolpit last Saturday by the margin of 41 runs.
After winning the toss, Chris Leech elected to bat first on a well used wicket. Leech himself and Matt Renvoize got the Dolphins off to a steady start putting on 54 for the first wicket, that was until Renvoize received a delivery from Rob Gibson that kept low and was bowled for 18. Shortly afterwards Chris Hinks was adjudged LBW and Joe Osbourne found his stumps dismantled by Ashwin Bhatt, both without troubling the scorers.
Robbie Spalding joined his skipper at the crease and played a more restrained innings than normal, however having scored 14 he too was wrapped on the pads and was given out LBW. Leech continued to ensure that loose deliveries were despatched to the distant boundary, but he scampered a quick single to reach his half century.
It was Luke Gouldstone’s turn to ably assist Leech and the pair put on 62 runs for the fifth wicket when, on 26, he mistimed a drive and was caught by Ali English off the bowling of Marcus Packer. The Dolphins captain moved on to 77, unfortunately he was run out after a good piece of fielding by English.
Braintree’s tail failed to wag as Packer had Andy Gowers (3) caught by English and bowled Karl Parker first ball. Glen Newham was run out for 4 and Milo Edwards (5) was also bowled by Packer. Geoff Eveling remained undefeated on 11 as Braintree’s innings closed on 181.
In reply Woolpit were soon in trouble as Gouldstone and Spalding ripped into their top order. Gouldstone was finding great pace, claiming the wickets of both openers as John Turner (13) was excellently caught by Hinks in the slips and Ryan Newcombe (8) feathered the ball to into Renvoize’s gloves. The Woolpit skipper, Stuart Lilley, then found his stumps completely dismantled for a golden duck.
Spalding then got in on the act as he trapped Packer LBW without scoring and had Maddox Colby caught by Eveling for 9. Not only was Gouldstone bowling some unplayable deliveries he was also putting in some excellent work in the field, culminating in a direct throw from the boundary that ran out Dan Brooks (1).
When Gouldstone sent Ali English’s stumps cartwheeling, also for a golden duck, Woolpit had been reduced to 46 for the loss of their first 7 wickets. The home side then made a mini recovery putting on 27 runs for the eighth wicket, however the umpire adjudged Bhatt LBW Gouldstone had his fifth victim. Edwards then had Craig Lenane (9) brilliantly caught by Hinks.
Veterans, Marcus West and Rob Gibson then went on the offensive putting on 52 runs for the last wicket. However, when Gibson having scored 31 was rapped on the pads by Hinks there was only going to be one decision. West remained unbeaten on 35 as Woolpit were all out for 39.
This was another fine performance in the field by Braintree with Gouldstone claiming 5 for 42 from his allotted 12 overs and gaining entry into the prestigious ‘Baggy’ club reserved for those that score a hundred, take 5 wickets or claim 5 victims (keepers). Luke will be awarded cap number 33 – Congratulations, a very well deserved achievement