Braintree CC’s Sunday XI picked up a good win to start the season with a 38 run win over a Rayne side containing two Dolphins players in Shubham Alhat and Charlie Moore.
Nick Lockhart and Charlie Garner got the innings off to a relatively quick start, Lockhart especially finding boundaries at will. He was eventually dismissed by Lee Crawford, the leg spinner sneaking one through his defences after a well-made 47. Garner ticked along while overseas Mitch Atkins cruised to a 50 from 36 balls, never looking in any danger. Garner also reached a patient 50 from 57 balls, both men retiring at the half century mark. A few quick wickets came fell as Callum Macleod, debutant Jayde Parker and Harvey Castle-Hacker all fell. Joe Osborne added some impetus back into the innings with a well-made 20 before he was caught by Moore. The innings was seen out by Joe Chaplin, who finished 14* alongside another debutant Lyra Macleod on 0*. The Dolphins ended on a very competitive score of 197 from their 35 overs.

Crawford, who bowled tightly in the first innings, started the innings well but Tom Gibson at the other end was held down by the opening bowling pair of a third dolphins debutant, Rhys John and veteran Leigh Garner, who bowled tightly in the opening exchanges. It was Chaplin who eventually found the breakthrough, taking a sharp return catch to dismiss Crawford for 38. Rayne continued to plod along before Castle-Hacker picked up a well-deserved wicket, dismissing Williamson via a simple catch from Garner. Lyra Macleod then had a moment to remember as she dismissed Alhat to take take her fist senior wicket via a good caught and bowled. Castle-Hacker then picked up another two quick wickets, first having Gibson finally removed after a simple catch for Callum Macleod at cover, then dismissing Brookes thanks to a sharp stumping by Osborne. Parker was then given a bowl, with good accuracy displayed in her first 3 overs in hard ball cricket. Rayne eventually limped to 159, with a comfortable win secured for Braintree. All in all, it was as very successful day as all debutants performed well, and younger members of the squad shone. Hopefully the Sunday games for the rest of the season continue to foster great opportunities and development.