Braintree Cricket Club’s First Elevens penultimate game of the season away to Sudbury ll unfortunately ended in a defeat by the margin of 64 runs.

The Sudbury skipper won the toss and elected to bat first on a deck that had been used on a number of occasions over the summer. He must have wondered if he’d made the right decision as first Dale Brett (4) edged a Josh Paget delivery into Matt Renvoize’s gloves and then fellow opener Alex Ray (15) skied the ball to the ever reliable hands of Luke Gouldstone.

Sudbury recovered from their early setback as Josh Smith hit two straight sixes as he raced to 29, however when attempting a third this time off Chris Hinks, he could only find Luke Gouldstone on the boundary. When Tom Lockwood (9) was caught and bowled by Geoff Eveling and Stuart Whitehart was caught behind for a golden duck off Hinks, the home side had been reduced to 90 for the loss of 5 wickets.

Sudbury’s leading run scorer Dom Crame didn’t look to be in the best of form but when Chris Sturgeon joined him at the crease runs started to flow as the pair put on 79 runs for the sixth wicket. Eventually Sturgeon having scored 27, holed out to Glen Newham on the deep mid-wicket boundary. Crame continued with his renewed lease of a life and unfortunately for him, was just three runs short of his century when he was trapped LBW by Eveling.

Sudbury’s tail failed to wag as they lost their last 4 wickets for the addition of just 5 runs. Andy Simmons (1) was spectacularly caught and bowled one handed by Eveling and Hinks had James Quin (3) caught by Gouldstone he then finished off the innings by catching Charlie Thomas (1) plumb in front of the stumps. The Dolphins had bowled the Talbots out for 207 with Hinks taking 4 wickets for 38, Eveling 3 for 43 and Paget 2 for 22.

In reply Braintree were soon in trouble as Matt Renvoize (5) was clean bowled by Jonny Gallagher, whilst Chris Sturgeon who has been playing in the EAPL recently had Chris Leech (10) caught and bowled and then dismantled Chris Hink’s (0) stumps.

Geoff Eveling and Luke Gouldstone gradually built a partnership taking the odd single and despatching any stray deliveries to the boundary. The pair had put on 48 runs for the fourth wicket when Gouldstone was bowled by Charlie Thomas having scored 27. Young Joe Osbourne making only his third start for the firsts suffered an identical fate first ball, what was even more unfortunate was the way he was mocked by the alcohol fuelled home support on his return to the pavilion.

Karl Parker sent the hattrick ball for four, however he quickly lost his wicket as he was caught by Gallagher off Simmons who then used his years of experience to clean bowl Glen Newham. Braintree found themselves 7 wickets down for just 76 runs. Meanwhile, Eveling could only stand and watch from the non-strikers end as the wickets fell at the other end.

Eveling and Himesh Patel ensured that the Dolphins claimed some batting points with a stand of 48 for the eighth wicket. Eventually it was Eveling’s turn to depart as when on 41 he was trapped LBW by Simmons. Patel continued to enjoy himself, however having scored 32 he managed to get his bat to a short delivery from Sturgeon and somehow Gallagher took a catch as the ball looked as though it was going for a certain six.

Joel Ainsley had only managed to run a single when he was drawn out of his crease by Simmons and Brett whipped off the bails. Braintree were all out for 143 with Josh Paget once again remaining not out. Man of the match for the Dolphins was Geoff Eveling, taking 3 wickets and top scoring with 41.

This coming Saturday Braintree welcome Little Bardfield to St. Peters Road and will be looking to end their season with a win, thus meaning they have been victorious in half the games played