On a cloudy afternoon more suited to blankets than ice-creams, Braintree batted first and set about building a total that could test their near-neighbours. Things began badly, with skipper Calum MacLeod so desperate to get more runs than his opening partner, he ran out the in-form Nick Lockhart for just two. In order to avoid Lockhart, he decided to stay at the crease for as long as possible and did so while hardly being able to hit a ball before he was put out of his misery with the first of Cox's five wickets. Arindam Gangopadhay responded, with a sumptuous 32 – all timing, elegance, and the occasional “how on earth did that get there?” shot. Sadly, his supporting cast were more cameo than feature film, and wickets tumbled like loose change from a pocket. Cox shone with the ball, bagging a sparkling 5 for 29 – wickets clattering around him like skittles at a Friday night ten-pin bowling alley.
Braintree’s innings wrapped up on 106 all out – a total that felt as if it might still be competitive, provided they could keep Witham honest.
Witham, however, had other ideas. In strode Dan Youngman, who batted as if the pitch had been rolled especially for him. A classy unbeaten 74 flowed from his bat, all grace and good judgement, and he calmly steered Witham to victory with five wickets in hand.
The supporting roles this time belonged to the bowlers. Calley Foyster snared two wickets with neat precision, before Lyra MacLeod produced the over of the day – two wickets in four balls, including another glorious family affair of “caught MacLeod, bowled MacLeod.” If you ever wanted proof cricket is a team game, sometimes the whole team comes from the same household.
In the end, Witham cruised home, but not without plenty of sparkle on both sides: a dashing 32, a five-for, a MacLeod special, and a Youngman batting like an old master.