A must win game for Braintree’s second XI was curtailed my rain with the game firmly in the balance, the dolphins coming away with 12 valuable points in their fight for survival.

Braintree batted first and the opening pair of Lockhart and Kent put on a solid stand, both men passing 25 and the partnership reaching 50. That was before Kent was bowled for 27. The returning Keith Merrell was pinned lbw for 1 before Lockhart and Joe Osborne both fell to leave Braintree in a bit of trouble. Charlie Garner was bowled first ball to leave the score at 100-5. Johnston and Patel added some much needed impetus to the innings, both batsman playing in their own unique fashion. Johnston made 20 before departing but Patel, along with Fullgrabe, gave the dolphins a good total to defend. Fullgrabe hit boundaries to all parts in his rapid 70 while Patel ably supported with a captains knock of 42*. Both played fantastically under pressure but the power and timing from Fullgrabe was truly a sight to behold. The a few late wickets fell but a decent score of 239 was on the board.

The Dolphins didn’t make the best start with the ball with both openers bowling a bit too short early on. However, a wicket did fall as Andrew Gowers picked up a wicket via a full toss, caught by Fullgrabe. He picked up another as Jay-scarff spooned one up to the ever-reliable hands of Joe Osborne. That was the last bit of joy for Braintree as Mildenhall rattled along at seven an over before the rain intervened in the 19th over with the score on 134-2.

A frustrating day on which the table became even tighter as fellow relegation strugglers Bury St Edmunds picked up a win. That means the teams are level on points going into the final 2 games of the season, Braintree just ahead on net run rate as it stands. All to play for.