Braintree set off on the 56-mile journey with great optimism as like themselves Worlington hadn’t had a win in the first 2 games. Also, the weather on route was glorious and set the tone for a nice day out.
With captain Hinks missing as he pursued Greek sun as opposed to the Suffolk sun, it was down to Vice Captain Newman to win the toss. He exceeded expectations and decided that the Dolphins would have a bat first.
Missing the usual openers there was a need to shake-up the batting lineup and Matt Childs and Bryn Powell were the chosen ones to open up the innings. They did not disappoint as Braintree made a solid start with Matt Childs flowing nicely reaching 37 off 43 balls including six boundaries with the score reaching 47 before the first wicket fell. This was Childs, following a mix up with the calling for a quick single, who was run out after both Childs and Powell ended up at the same end as the bails were taken off. At this point the weather had changed dramatically with a cool breeze now blowing across the ground and like the weather Braintree’s solid start would see a dramatic change. Next in was Louis Cant who, having faced 7 balls without scoring, tried to find a scoring solution by advancing down the track to the overseas left arm spinner Sheahan who dropped the ball shorter in anticipation of Cants advance which led to him guiding the ball into the hands of 1st slip. Chris Walker came to the crease and his stay was to be short also as after getting off the mark from the pace bowler Cooper, he too fell to Sheahan after pushing a cover drive into the hands of short cover. At 51-3 skipper Newman came to the crease. 14 runs were added before a patient innings of 18 from 64 balls from Powell was ended as he was trapped LBW by spinner Taylor which would prove to be the start of an great spell of bowling and overall man of the match performance for Worlington. Geoff Eveling was next to fall as Taylor struck again as he found the edge of his bat as he was caught. At 67-5 Braintree were wondering how they were going to reach the first batting point for 125 as a minimum. Robbie Spalding came in next and in his usual fashion looked to score quickly striking 1 boundary to cow corner before he was then bowled by Taylor going for another one to the same area. The New Zealander, Atkins was next into bat with Braintree hoping that he could change the game and steady the ship alongside Newman. He didn’t disappoint as he and Newman were able to progress the scoreboard with Newman hitting 2 sixes to take the current lead in the six hitting league for the 1st team. After adding 35 between them and progressing the score to 106, Newman was next to go as he was impressively caught and bowled by Taylor after driving the ball ferociously back at him. Joe Osbourne was the next man in with the main aim given of ensuring the 125 point was achieved. He looked solid in supporting Mitch Atkins before he was harshly adjudged LBW again from Taylor after the ball had clearly hit his bat. As he walked off in disbelief, the disbelief continued as Fullgrabe, the next man in started to walk out to the middle in his undershirt as he had forgot to put his playing shirt on. A few shouts from the boundary and he quickly returned to the changing rooms to collect his shirt before proceeding again, however this time he now forgot his bat. After the laughter, Fullgrabe didn’t last long when after only 4 balls Taylor bagged his 6th victim. Toby Adcock was the last man in with only 6 now needed for the 1st batting point. This was achieved as he played a delightful shot on the leg side for 4, before he was adjudged LBW however this time off the new bowler Summers with the innings wrapped up at exactly the 125 mark. Mitch Atkins didn’t disappoint as he played freely to remain unbeaten on 27 from 28 balls including 4 powerful boundaries.

Despite Braintree being disappointed with the small total, they knew a few early wickets could change the game and any slight chances would be needed to be taken. This optimism grew almost immediately with the score only 7 as Worlington’s reliable opener and captain, Ford was unbelievably caught at backward point off the bowling of Atkins. The catch was Jonny Rhodes esc as Childs flung his left hand out as he dived to his left as the ball stuck. The reaction in the field and also the batters disbelief said it all. This brought Taylor to the crease who started shakily as Newman and Atkins tried to get another breakthrough. The closest coming from Atkins as the ball struck Taylor’s pad but despite Braintree’s appeals the umpire adjudged him to be outside the line. The score progressed to 41 before a change in the bowling reaped rewards as Cant clean bowled Summers with his first ball for 18. With only a further 84 needed and plenty of time to do it in Braintree new they needed a bit of magic. Braintree tried by mixing the bowling with Eveling, Childs and Adcock getting overs, however Taylor and the fellow New Zealander overseas Sheahan had all the answers. Taylor hit a powerful and quick time unbeaten 76 off 41 balls including 5 maximums as he took advantage of the short straight boundaries to wrap up the match in no time. Sheahan never looked in trouble and played a support role reaching an unbeaten 27 to leave Braintree achieving just 1 batting and 1 bowling point from the game whilst Worlington took their first 20-point win of the season.