Braintree’s latest escapades in hunt for the first win of the season involved a trip to Hadleigh. Once again the British weather was aligned with the cricket season in order to provide perfect cricketing weather. The first achievement for Braintree was all 11 arriving at the ground as several members of the team had taken a trip to Lords the day before and were still feeling the effects of the lager, champagne and Pimm’s! Hadleigh won the toss and elected to bat first as the locals from the village started to flock into the ground. There were a couple of early chances for Braintree as Mitch and Robbie Spalding opened the bowling. One of the chances resulted in a dislocated finger to Braintree’s keeper Jeremy Hollingsworth who went about his business not causing a fuss and simply put it back in place. The first wicket came in the 9th over when Atkins got the edge of the bat on the way through to Hollingsworth. The score 49-1 as Hadleigh had got off to a quick start. 5 overs later and Atkins was in the action again, this time throwing down the stumps in a sharp run out which removed the other opener. 78-2 Braintree were in the game. Hadleigh continued to play there shots as Dias was joined by Morrin. Braintree made a change and captain Hinks brought himself onto bowl from one end and Theo Sherry from the other who was on the hunt for his first 1st XI wicket. He didn’t have to wait long as Dias clipped the ball off his legs to mid wicket where Leechy, still seeing 3 balls following lords picked the right one and took a good catch to leave the score 91-3. Morrin was joined by Hadleigh’s overseas Ainsley Ndlovu who has played 2 test matches for Zimbabwe. 14 overs passed and the score had progressed to 181 before Louis Cant claimed the wicket of Ndlovu where Leechy was again in the action at mid wicket taking the catch after an initial juggle. Unfortunately for Braintree another partnership formed as Morrin continued with Piddington. The ball was tossed to Leechy to work his magic. At 228-4 with 12 overs remaining Leechy decided the best option was to throw a half tracker long hop to deceive the batsman. Unbelievably it worked as Morrin pulled the ball straight to Chris Walker at mid wicket. Piddington played aggressively before he too fell to Leech from a sharp stumping from Hollingsworth. 271-6 at this point with 6 overs remaining. Josh Newman a self proclaimed death bowler was thrown the ball. He didn’t disappoint as he skittled Hadleigh’s captain Shanks. No further wickets fell as Atkins and Newman bowled out the overs. Hadleigh’s batters continued to bat well and reached a final total of 311-7.

Braintree knew this was a big ask to chase down however were hoping that their batsmen would find some long overdue form. A hope that didn’t last long as Braintree found themselves 10-3 after 9 overs. Eveling (4) Leech (0) and Captain Hinks (1) the fallers. Knowing the big task ahead Atkins set to work hitting his second ball for 4, however that was his only scoring shot as he was cleaned up 2 balls later. 18-4 and Braintree were getting a working over. After reaching 5 from 22 balls Cant had decided he had, had enough as he took a swipe to legside boundary only to be bowled. 22-5 inside 14 overs. Only 5 wickets left and the required rate at 8.5 an over the game seemed gone. Walker was the next man in and the discussion was to keep Hadleigh in the field as long as possible. Walker added 6 off 10 balls before he too had had enough and looked go over top only to sky it and be caught by cover. The returning Johnny Whiteoak was next in to join Newman. They put up a fight and generated a 35 run partnership over 9 overs. Whiteoak the first man to fall as he edged behind off of Ndlovu for a well-made 22. An over later and Newman fell, again for a well-made and gritty 20 from 50 balls. Braintree now 71-8 the game was almost done unless there was a hero in Hollingsworth, Spalding or Sherry. Today wasn’t going to be the day as the last 2 wickets fell inside 13 balls as Spalding was caught and Sherry bowled to leave Hollingsworth stranded on 0 not out off 7 balls. Hollingsworth could have been the hero but no one will ever know. Braintree all out for 78 just a mere 233 runs short. The hunt for the first win of the season continues……