Braintree's 2nd XI looked to get their season off and running against a Maldon II's side they hadn't faced for a number of years.
Having lost the toss, skipper Andrew Gowers was surprised to be asked to bat on a good looking pitch but it paid off for the visitors as they picked up Dave Hale for 0 with the 2nd ball. The talismanic opener has not started the season well and was not helped on this occasion when not given the benefit of what seemed like a big chunk of doubt. 0-1 became 9-2 as Himesh Patel holed out to Mike Smith off of the bowling of Callum Figg but this brought Rory Ciccarelli-Ainsley to the middle to join Matt Kent. The pair rebuilt the innings, both playing fluently down the ground despite the attempts of the visitors to deter them with legside tactics. Kent eventually played round a leg stump half volley from Harry Grant to depart for 34 and with Ciccarelli-Ainsley looking for partners the middle order faded with Walton (4), Sherry (8) and Gowers (2) unable to give him the support needed. Some late runs from Charlie Garner (14) and Josh Paget (14*) did help boost the score but when Ciccarelli-Ainsley finally went for an excellent 73 Braintree were under pressure setting just 180.
Early wickets were required and Andrew Sherry delivered in the 2nd over as he swung one through the gate of Matthew Shinn to bowl him for 1 but a partnership of 63 between Joe Figg (24) and James Ellis (41) put them back in control. Having survived an extrememly confident caught behind appeal Charlie Garner trapped Figg in front and then had Matt Mehan caught at mid-ff for 11 as Braintree crept back into the game. 2 wickets with the score on 96 saw honours even at the half point when Charlie Garner bowled George Bayer for 4 and then Rhys John did the same to account for Ellis who was by now struggling with a groin injury. Braintree were now in with a shout but sadly they couldn't take advantage as Harry grant and Mike Smith saw them almost home. A consolation wicket for Ciccarelli-Ainsley saw Mike smith caught at slip but by then the day was done for the Dolphins. A big game awaits next week as they travel to Stowmarket who sit just one place above them