Braintree CC’s Sunday XI got their first win of the season in a last ball thriller with Terling in what was a great day all round. It was a great effort from all involved, especially considering the late notice at which the game was arranged.
Stand in skipper Charlie Garner, deputising for Joe Osborne, lost the toss, which therefore meant The Dolphins were fielding first, much to the disappointment of his team, most of whom were still recovering from yesterday's game and a heavy night after. Openers Sadler and Jessiman made a patient start, tasked with keeping out the accurate bowling from Corbyn MacLeod and Lucas Hale early on. The score had moved to 33 before Macleod induced an edge from Jessiman which to everyone’s shock, was held by stand in keeper Guy Walton. Another Youngster, this time spinner George Wedge, came into the attack and continued to keep the run rate down. The score reached 73 when, after a few half chances of his own bowling, wedge tempted Wild into a big shot which taken simply by the skipper at mid-off. Sadler continued to tick the score over while Vine tried to find his feet, but on 7, the latter offered a simple caught and bowled chance to Garner. Sadler eventually retired for a well-made fifty, and even with some handy contributions from Hodgkiss, Coleman and Hurter, Braintree kept the score down to 192. The only other wicket was Hodgkiss being bowled by Wedge, but coupled with some tight bowling from the aforementioned bowlers, as well as Dan Garner and Harrison McBride, along with some good fielding, the chase was a tricky but fairly manageable one on paper for The Dolphins.

The skipper opened the batting along with Dave Hale and they faced a tricky opening spell, with the opening bowling pair of Norman and Hurter spraying the ball everywhere with the odd beauty mixed in. Unfortunately for Hale, as it has seemed all season, the luck didn’t go his way and he was bowled by one that pitched middle and hit the top of off from Hurter. The sheer amount of extras meant the two Garners could take their time without the run rate being impacted, and the score had reached 38 before Dan was bowled by another cracking delivery, this time from the left armer Norman, with one that again nipped away and hit off. Lucas Hale’s chance up the order didn’t last long as he chipped to cover attempting to work to leg. Walton then joined Garner at the crease and they patiently constructed a partnership, becoming more free flowing the longer it went on. Garner, soon after hitting a six over cow corner, was bowled for 34 after a full and straight ball from Bessant, a solid foundation laid, with the score now at 107. Walton continued to battle in his search for some form, and fought admirably for his 29 alongside Himesh Patel, who started well for with some early boundaries. Walton eventually fell, bowled by Vine while seemingly trying to hit the ball out of Braintree. The game was still in the hands of the dolphins, as the required run rate was below 4 and there was still some experience in the hutch. However, it was young McBride along with his uncle Meshy who steered the dolphins within sight of victory, as they took the score past 180, keeping the good balls out and putting the bad ones away. McBride survived a close no ball call along the way, with some great sportsmanship by Terling in calling him back with the umpires unsure of what decision to give. The next ball was also a no ball wicket, this time a lot more obvious however, with the ball clearly bouncing twice. The required run rate was increasing until McBride hit a straight 4 to leave the equation at 10 needed from 13 balls. Unfortunately. He was bowled next ball but a fantastic effort in only his second senior game. Patel was now joined by Rory Cicarelli-Ainsley, who after scoring 73 on Saturday was in good form. However, he struggled the get the ball away and was bowled in the final over, meaning 5 off 4 was needed. Wedge played and missed before hitting one back to the bowler, and on his 3rd ball found the crucial single to get Patel back on strike. After scoring just 7 runs from his previous 26 balls, having to keep out some very good bowling from Jessiman, and with 4 required from one one, he was the coolest man in Braintree as he crashed the ball to the mid wicket boundary. This bought an extremely loud cheer from the crowd, many of whom had stuck around all day in the cold.

Of course the win mattered, but a last ball thriller in which the visitors more than played their part, along with a great atmosphere, support and an even better tea contributed to a fantastic day overall. A special mention must also go the youngsters who played very admirably under pressure, and encapsulated what cricket is all about. Long live Sundays.