Braintree’s First Eleven welcomed Haverhill to St Peters Road last Saturday and recorded their fifth straight victory by a margin of 47 runs, Matt Renvoize was star of the show with an unbeaten 143.
Chris Leech won the toss and elected to bat first on yet another excellent pitch prepared by the ground staff. The decision was well vindicated as Chris and fellow opener Matt Renvoize steadily set about building the foundation of a big total. For Haverhill, veteran Martyn Wilkins conceded just 21 runs from his opening 8 overs however runs flowed freely from the other end. The opening pair pushed singles at every opportunity and ensured that from any lose deliveries the ball was sent hurtling to the boundary ropes. Both Dolphins brought up their half centuries within a few minutes of each other, Chris scampering a quick single and Matt exquisitely sent the ball through the covers for four.
Unfortunately, having scored 57 in an opening partnership of 131, Leech lost his wicket as Doyl D’Silva took an excellent catch off the bowling of Ben Wilkins. Renvoize was joined at the crease by Chris Hinks who was willing to run singles to give his fellow left hander as much of the strike as possible. However, when on 11 he did attempt to hit out only to find his middle stump literally broken by Wilkins though.
Rory Ainsley (9) looked to push the score along but found himself caught in the deep. Meanwhile Renvoize was scoring runs off almost every ball he faced and brought up his first century for the club with another immaculate cover drive. Dan Chalk decided that he would enjoy himself and hit a quick fire 34 which included two big sixes that literally threatened the scorers as the ball crashed into the scorebox, soon after he was caught by D’Silva going for another big hit.
Will Jackson (3) and Robbie Spalding (5) both came and went quickly as they attempted to increase Braintree’s total even further. As it was the innings closed on 284 for the loss of 6 wickets, with Renvoize remaining unbeaten on 143.
In reply, Haverhill quickly lost their first wicket as Luke Gouldstone found the edge of Sam Hartshorn’s bat and Will Jackson took a smart catch in the slips. Simon Walters (22) then annoyingly frustrated the Dolphins but eventually he was caught by Dan Chalk off the bowling of Himesh Patel. Andrew Argent was then bowled by Chris Hinks without troubling the scorers. Although they had only lost 3 wickets the visitors progress was slow, as at drinks they were still 200 runs short of a possible victory.
In attempted to rectify matters Ben Wilkins (23) and Max Egan (34) looked to score runs but they were both undone by Geoff Eveling who had them trapped LBW and bowled, respectively. Having opened the batting Doyl D’Silva had built a patient innings and he eventually reached his century in the 44th over, however he was immediately caught by Eveling off the bowling of Hinks.
The visitor’s innings closed on 237 for 6, 48 runs short of a victory that they never looked like achieving.
Skipper Chris Leech praised his team for fielding in difficult windy conditions along with the distracting sound of Missing Andy coming from the Jubilee Celebrations in the nearby Public Gardens