Braintree’s First Eleven visited Elmstead Grasshoppers on Saturday and returned home having been beaten by 96 runs.

Rory Ainsley, having a break from his duties at Stanstead, made a welcome return to the side and Callum Lazarus stepped up from the twos to make his second appearance of the season. Rowen Lazarus made his debut, however the Dolphins were unable to call on the services of Geoff Eveling, who was otherwise engaged.

Once again Chris Leech won the toss and this time invited the home side to bat first on a wicket that looked as though any grass had been rolled flat rather than cut. Braintree were hampered from the very first over as Luke Gouldstone pulled up injured and wasn’t in a position to bowl any further. Effectively therefore it was young Callum Lazarus leading the opening bowling alongside Josh Paget. Jordon Elliott and Ollie Burle took advantage of the situation and put on 85 runs for the first wicket inside 12 overs.

The introduction of Rory Ainsley into the bowling attack saw the fall of the first wicket as the occasional spinner had Burle caught by Leech for 29. A flurry of runs saw Elmstead move onto 146 before they lost their next 4 wickets for only 20. Elliott had moved on to 88 when he was clean bowled by Ainsley and Pete Webster (12) was then deceived by Chris Hinks and a smart piece of work behind the stumps by Matt Renvoize saw him stumped. Meanwhile Ainsley had Aiden O’Brien (4) caught by Paget and then dismantled Josh Elliott’s (13) stumps.

R Khaiva and Zac Pushman put on 36 in quick time before the latter was bowled for 15 by Hinks who then had Arthif Asmil caught by Leech for a golden duck. Ian Evans swung the bat, scoring a quick fire 21 before he was excellently caught one gloved by Renvoize off the bowling of Leech. Khaiva remained unbeaten on 35 as Elmstead closed their innings on 243 for the loss of 8 wickets, Ainsley returned figures of 4 for 44 whilst Hinks took 3 for 54.

In reply Braintree got off to the worst possible start as Matt Renvoize was brilliantly caught in the slips without troubling the scorer and soon after Rory Ainsley having edged two boundaries was also back in the pavilion. However, Chris Leech and Chris Hinks steadied the ship ensuring that any loose deliveries were despatched to the boundary. The pair put on 54 runs for the third wicket before Hinks was caught in the deep having scored 27.

Leech scampered a single to reach his half century but could only stand and watch from the non-strikers end as Adam Westall (3) and Luke Gouldstone (5) lost their wickets. Lee Fullgrabbe joined his skipper at the crease and immediately received a torrent of short pitched bowling from Elliott. In flamboyant style Fullgrabbe took it in his stride although he was struck on the helmet and gloved another delivery over the keeper’s head for four.

Courtesy of a number of singles Leech had moved on to 65 before he eventually lost his wicket too. This signalled the beginning of the end as the Dolphins lost their last five wickets for only 9 runs, Fullgrabbe was caught behind for 27 off only 16 balls, whilst Callum Lazarus, Karl Parker and Josh Paget all departed without scoring. Rowen Lazarus remained not out 5 as Braintree’s innings finished on 157, a long way short of victory