Braintree got their 2022 season under way with a pre-season friendly against Westcliff CC at a chilly Panfield Lane on Saturday. Despite a heavy defeat it was a good run out a mixture of 1st and 2nd XI players ahead of next weeks league openers against Easton at home (1's) and Bury St Edmunds III away (2's).

Chris Leech and Matt Renvoize shared a good opening stand and got some valuable time at the wicket which will hopefully see some confidence carry over to the start of the 1st XI's campaign.