Braintree CC’s Sunday XI were unfortunately beaten by six wickets in a well fought contest away at Stebbing. While the result did not go the Dolphins way, it was another great opportunity for everyone to show off their skills, including a debut for Jay Singh Shera.
Braintree mutually agreed to bat first and after an early LBW appeal was turned town, the opening pair of Charlie Garner and Lee Fullgrabe started to get into their work, the latter predictably being the aggressor. He made 25, striking some sumptuous boundaries before being bowled by a Yorker. Joe Osborne came in at 3 and started fluently before being caught on the leg side boundary when on 8. Garner ticked along while Joe Chaplin got into his work before being slightly harshly adjudged LBW. Garner didn’t last much longer as he was stumped, miles out of his crease. Overseas Mitch Atkins was looking to be aggressive and like most of the Dolphins top order, made a good start before skying one for a simple caught and bowled. This left the Dolphins in a precarious position at 80-5. However, debutant Jay Singh Shera started to construct a great innings while wickets continued to fall. Skipper Leigh Garner only made 3 before he hit a full toss to midwicket and Lewis Walker-Everton only made 5, however he did stick around for long enough for Shera to add a considerable amount of runs to his total. It was number 9 Callum Lazarus who really put the Stebbing bowlers under pressure, striking a number of fours, as well as an effortless six over square leg in his 35. At the other end, Shera continued to nudge and nurdle his way to a well-made 50. Lazarus was bowled and Shera was run out in the final over, and the innings was wrapped up for 208 when Charlie Moore was caught at cover for 1, Lyra Macleod not out at the other end without facing a ball. Considering the position they were once in, 208 was a fantastic effort from Braintree, mainly thanks to the contributions of Lazarus and Shera.
It started very well for the Dolphins as in the first over Charlie Moore forced Henry W to chip to Shera at point. 1-1 became 1-2 as Lazarus bowled Sam R. There was then a great partnership between Harry and Max, who steered Stebbing past 100, Max taking the more aggressive approach. Harry was eventually removed for a well-made 24 as he was caught and bowled by Joe Chaplin. Max continued to power the Dolphins bowlers around the ground, even denting a car in the process. He eventually reached three figures and retired, a good innnings from the number 4. Kevin came and went for the 1 as Charlie Garner snuck one through his defences. However, by this point the game was beyond Braintree and the home side raced to the target in 31.3 overs, Kevin on 42 not out and G Raylan on 27 not out.

A disappointing result but another great outing where everyone had a good opportunity to showcase their skills. The dolphins will hope for a better result this coming Sunday away at Chappel and Wales Colne