Braintree CC again managed to field a Saturday 3rd XI and in a very one-sided encounter, The Dolphins came out victorious by 159 runs.

Matt Kent and Skipper Ian Johnston opened the batting for Braintree and made a solid start, both batsman running hard as there was not much value for shots on a slow outfield. Both passed 30 with the odd reprieve along the way but everything was relatively comfortable until Kent was bowled by Robert Berry for a well-made 35. Toby Adcock and Johnston reached drinks before soon after, the skipper reached a well compiled 50, which was his first the club, a nice moment for The Dolphins skipper. At this point he retired as was agreed before play. Adcock and Callum Macleod continued to push the score along with a mixture of good running and well struck boundaries. Both batsman were motoring towards their 50 and playing with great fluency while playing risk free shots along the ground, giving the fielders a torrid time. Both players did reach their 50 within a few overs of each other, Adcock’s his first in senior cricket, a great achievement, while MacLeod’s was his second in as many weeks. That left Chairman Jamie Foyster and Karl Parker to finish the innings. Foyster finished on 8* while Parker was the aggressor in the final few overs to finish on 27*. An imposing total of 228-1 in a game reduced to 30 overs due to the weather.

It was a tough task for St Johns and they lost an early wicket as Kalabariji was bowled by Leigh Garner attempting a slog to leg. Young bowler Charlie Moore picked up the second wicket as he had Gollapudi caught in the covers. Adcock then got a well-deserved wicket as had the other opener well caught a slip by Foyster. Charlie Garner had Bubb caught and bowled before Parker picked up two quick wickets, ending with remarkable figures of 2-2-0-2. Fletcher was then run out by a combination of Charlie Garner and Harvey Castle-Hacker. That was the end of the wicket taking but in truth the opposition never showed much intent, finishing on 69-7 after their 30 overs.

A comfortable win but great to see three teams out again, great experience gained for the younger members of the side especially.