Braintree CC’s second XI recorded a 4th consecutive loss with a 7 wicket defeat at the hands of Earl Stonham.

Dave Hale and Jamie Foyster were opening the batting for Braintree and looking to get off to a solid start on a dry looking pitch however, it wasn't to be as Hale was bowled trying to pull a short ball that didn’t get up. Foyster was joined by Lockhart and, having shared a stand of 150 the previous week, looked to rebuild, which they did slowly but surely. Foyster bided his time while Lockhart patiently notched up his second consecutive fifty with the usual elegance and timing. Foyster (20) then fell via a catch in the deep before Lockhart suffered the same fate soon after reaching his 50. Hollingsworth quickly departed, caught at mid on for a duck, before Andrew Sherry fell victim to a fantastic diving catch at cover. This meant Braintree were now 5 down with only a hundred on the board. Charlie Garner and Adam Westall soaked up some pressure, finding the odd single before Westall was bowled by one that nipped in to hit his off stump. Lee Fullgrabe came and went after chipping one in the air before Garner was trapped lbw which left Braintree eight down. Theo Sherry was bowled first ball which left the final partnership of Johnston and Leigh garner to try and inch Braintree towards 150. Johnston hit a few crunching boundaries and Garner rotated the strike but when on 7 he was bowled attempting a big heave into the leg side. The score to defend was 144, less than the dolphins would have liked but still something to play with.

Leigh Garner kept it tight early with some metronomic bowing while Andrew Sherry, struggling to find his line, brought son Theo on after just three overs. The decision was vindicated as a slower ball forced the batsman to chip to Fullgrabe at cover. Garner continued to probe at the other end, unfortunate not to pick up a wicket as multiple edges went through the slip cordon for four. Sherry also dried up the runs, only conceding 16 in his allotted 5 over spell. Dave hale was then brought on and immediately picked up a wicket as Andrew Sherry completed the catch at mid-wicket. Eade, who had still not found the middle of the bat even after reaching 50, became Hale’s second victim as he chipped to Fullgrabe at mid-on but that was the end of the wicket taking for Braintree as the home side completed a comfortable victory with 10 overs to spare.

A disappointing day for the dolphins which leaves them in the relegation places, a must win encounter against bottom side Bury St Edmunds awaits next week.