Toby Adcock was once more Braintree's leading performer as they went down narrowly at Frinton on Sunday. Adcock has now amassed 123 runs without being dismissed this year and is attracting plenty of compliments from coaches and spectators of both Braintree and the opposition.

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Promoted to open the innings after his recent performances he didn't disappoint as he held the innings together throughout as partners came and went on a slow deck and an equally slow outfield prevented free scoring.

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In truth, the 94 that Braintree accumulated was probably worth 130 as the ball was struggling to get across an outfield that was saturated the night before by heavy rain and was already in need of some attention from the mowers. Adcock batted through the innings to finish on 39 not out and was the only Braintree player to reach double figures but those scores were also effected but the sluggish outfield. Harry Whitwood in particular was timing the ball beautifully with very reward.

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So Braintree knew that they had to bowl well and chase everything down in the field and they made a very valiant attempt to defend their target. Callum Lazarus produced an unplayable delivery to remove the dangerous Fraser Waller (2) to leave Frinton 16-1 and that became 32-2 when Whitwood induced a false stroke from Oliver Vine (19) and Lazarus completed a simple catch. When Thomas Mellon and Theo Sherry got into the act and ripped out the Frinton middle order Braintree were sniffing an opportunity and then Toby Adcock got into the act as he claimed the wickets of skipper Daniel Massey (5) and had Toby Hamer (0) stumped by Harry Root. 61-6 was the score and with Frinton only having 9 player that was technically 61-8.

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Finley Hardes had other ideas as he hit a 6 and 2 4's on his way to 16* and Will Farrance made his was patiently to 24* to see the home team over line.

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A great effort from the lads to defend the total but another 15 runs were probably needed