Braintree’s First XI welcomed Copdock and Old Ipswichians to St Peter’s Road on Saturday
still searching for their first win of the season. That wait continues after the visitors secured a
comprehensive 196-run victory.
With Toby Adcock unavailable following an accident during the week, Andy Sherry was
promoted from the Second XI to take his place. Copdock won the toss and elected to bat
first on a hot afternoon at St Peter’s Road.
Johnny Pickering-Whiteoak opened the bowling from the Council Offices End and, although
he generated good pace, he struggled at times to find a consistent line and length. He was
frustrated by the umpire who no balled him on four occasions, the frustration reached the
scorebox too, so much so that Trevor called out and was duly voted the recipient of the
Rasta Outfit. Johnny eventually made the breakthrough, having Calder adjudged LBW for 8.
That brought Tom Collishall to the crease. Making his debut for Copdock after previously
playing a strong standard of cricket in Norfolk, he produced a commanding innings of 107,
including five sixes and 15 fours. He was eventually caught on the long-on boundary by
Theo Sherry off the bowling of Chris Hinks. Dan Garner was then introduced into the attack
and quickly made an impact, bowling Karl Storey for 73 and having Archie Miller, who made
17, well caught by Andy Sherry. When Andy Sherry trapped Will Menzies LBW for 8,
Copdock had advanced to 247 for 5.
After an expensive first spell, Louis Cant returned from the Pavilion End and produced an
excellent finish to the innings, taking the final five wickets for just 13 runs. He first trapped
Messer lbw, then had Swallow caught by Andy Sherry, before Himesh Patel held catches to
dismiss Thomas and Doig. To complete the innings, Hlatshwayo was dismissed with Matt
Renvoize removing the bails with the batsman well out of his crease. A debate ensued
whether it was a stumping or a run out, the umpire settled things ruling on the former.
Copdock were bowled out for 309.
After yet another excellent tea Braintree began their reply with Chris Hinks and Matt
Renvoize opening the batting. The pair made a steady start, playing with discipline and
capitalising on loose deliveries. However, after scoring 14, Renvoize was well caught by
Menzies off Hlatshwayo. From there, wickets fell regularly. Hinks made 15 before he was
caught by Calder on the mid-wicket boundary, Dan Garner was controversially given out
caught behind for 5, and Bryn Powell fell for 3. Chris Walker struck a boundary with his
second delivery but was then removed by an excellent one-handed catch from Collishall.
The Dolphins had slipped to 52 for 5 inside 15 overs, but Joe Osbourne and Johnny
Whiteoak added 41 for the sixth wicket to move the score towards three figures. Osbourne
made 17 before driving firmly back at the bowler, who held the chance well. Whiteoak
followed soon after for 21, edging behind to Harris.
With defeat looming, the innings was wrapped up quickly. Louis Cant was adjudged LBW,
even though he was at least 3 yards out of his crease for 1, Andy Sherry contributed 11, and
Himesh Patel was bowled for 3. Theo Sherry remained unbeaten on 1 as Braintree were
dismissed for 113.
Although finishing well short, the Dolphins could have made more of a game of it if it wasn’t
for 5 excellent catches and 2 dubious umpiring decisions
Braintree will look to respond quickly when they face Hatfield Peverel in the T20 before
returning to league action at home to Haverhill next weekend.