Braintree CC’s second xi suffered a dent to their survival hopes with an 8 wicket defeat at the hands of Colchester Cavaliers, a clinical batting performance from the visitors.

Braintree were batting first and hoping to put a score in excess of 250 on the board, but a big wicket fell early as Dave Hale flashed one to slip. Braintree were soon 2 down as Joe Osborne nicked a beauty to the keeper, not much he could have done. Geoff Eveling then put on a great partnership with Nick Lockhart, some good running and punishing of bad balls taking both batsman towards their 50’s. Eveling reached his but when on 48 Lockhart was unfortunate to find deep square leg after a well timed pick up shot. Eveling continued to push on and Matt Kent hit a couple of boundaries before being bowled by Farooq, the main tormentor, taking 4-42 from his 10 overs. As Eveling neared his 100, he began to run out of energy and ended up being run out on 90, a fantastic innings from the gritty opener. Andrew Sherry clattered 3 huge maximums in his brisk innings one travelling over the car park and into local garden. He was bowled for 37 from only 15 balls, receiving a very unnecessary send off from the bowler as he made his way back to the pavilion. From then on Braintree struggled, Garner, T Sherry and Westall all failing to trouble the scorers. The only late resistance was from Tom Urquhart on his home debut, making a quick 15 before being caught on the boundary to close the innings on 234 with one ball left.

It was a decent score but lines and lengths needed to be hit if Braintree were to defend the total. Visitors made a quick start, both Cooper and Jalib flashing multiple fours through the off side. The opening wicket fell when Sherry trapped cooper plumb in front with a very full delivery, the batsman inexplicably claiming it didn’t even hit his pad even though there was clear deviation after the ball passed the crease. Jalib continued to punish the loose bowling, he was also aided by some sloppy fielding from the dolphins, something which has been uncharacteristic of them this season. The pick of the bowlers was Leigh Garner, who bowled jaib when on 76, leaving the score on 129-2. From then on, it was clinical from the visitors, sticking to their strengths and playing the right shots to the right balls. The chase of 235 was completed in just 35 overs, Kumar finishing on 87 and Munir 40.

A tough day but one to move on from quickly as a must win game away to Abberton awaits this Saturday.