Braintree U14's opened their season with a convincing win over Great Totham on a ground where they have enjoyed success over the past few seasons.
On a flat looking deck, skipper Lucas Hale won the toss and chose to bat against a young Totham side and with both teams missing some it would be key for the senior players amongst them to shine and make an impact on the game. Hale himself, along with Tyler Dyer, took on that responsibility and set about the Totham attack early on. Dyer content to nudge the ball around which Hale took a more forceful approach playing beautifully off of his legs and straight down the ground. Having hit 9 boundaries and 1 maximum into the road, Hale retired on 51 from 30 balls to post his second half century on Totham's ground. Dyer would eventually fall for an elegant 25 but debutant Tate Buckley had followed on where his skipper left off to push the run rate up as he struck a brutal 43 from 30 balls with 7 x 4 and a six of his own to lift Braintree to an imposing 155-2 from their 20 overs.
It was another debutant, Bear Bullen who got the breakthrough for Braintree as he had Riley Simmance caught by Corbyn MacLeod at cover for 6 before bowling Eli Hawes the next ball to leave the home side 15-2. The hattrick was oh so close as Leon Meadowcroft popped his first ball into the leg side just inches from the grasp of Tate Buckley. Meadowcroft and Ralph Dundas put on 41 for the 3rd wicket before Adam Wedge bowled the former for 3 and then George Wedge came on to remove Dundas for a well made 25.
The overs ran out for Totham and Braintree claimed a confidence boosting win to start their season in game that was played in fantastic spirit by both sides