Braintree cc’s second xi picked up a vital victory in their hunt for survival with a thrilling and dramatic four run win over Felixstowe.

With a green looking pitch and a slow outfield, a score over 175 would be a competitive one and initially the opening pair of Dave Hale and Geoff Eveling were circumspect before both fell lbw within a few overs of each other to leave Braintree in a risky position. The wickets continued to fall as Joe Osborne and Himesh Patel both departed without really troubling the scorers . The score was now 33-4, a hugely precarious position, especially considering the importance of the game for the dolphins. Matt Kent and Charlie Garner battled away in an attempt to rebuild the innings but after a partnership of 26 Kent was brilliant stumped by keeper Hunwicke. Garner fell without adding to the score as he was bowled by a ball that kept low. Lee Fullgrabe played in his usual attacking fashion, hitting 2 fours before being bowled by one that nipped away to hit the top of off. Even reaching 100 seemed a long way off as the eighth wicket fell via a run out, Karl Parker not able to make it back for 2 to leave the score at 76-8. However, Dan King and Andrew Gowers added a bit of respectability to the total as they took the score past 100, both striking a lovely six in the process. With the score on 115, King was caught in the deep, before 2 balls later Calley Foyster was bowled to complete the innings.

It was a daunting task ahead for the dolphins in a do or die situation where bowling and fielding had to be of the highest standard to have any chance of defending the below par total. The defence started well as King trapped Parker lbw in the first over. He also removed Flecknoe soon after, dismantling his stumps to leave the score at 9-2. Left arm spinner Geoff Eveling opened the bowling at the other end and after building pressure he found a way through the defences of Lindfield. Sheppard was looking solid in defence but the consistent bowling eventually got to him as he was well caught at cover by Joe Osborne off the bowling of King. Eveling soon picked up another as Burrows was temped in to a big shot, a well judged catch by Fullgrabe. Braintree were well in the game with the score at 24-5, and after a small bit of resistance from warne and Anderson, King picked up his fourth as he castled Anderson. After failing to score for the best part of 25 balls, Warne started to open up and hit a couple of boundaries before an incredible catch from Gowers gave King a well deserved 5th wicket. The catch itself was truly remarkable as after first doing extremely well to even reach it, he parried it up, rolled over in his back, before kicking it up into his hands to complete the catch. Veteran Jonny Jacobs and keeper Hunwicke halted the chaos with a 35 run partnership that brought Felixstowe within 25 of victory before another bit of fielding brilliance broke the stout resistance as Himesh Patel flung himself from one side of the pitch to another to complete an amazing catch off his own bowling. He represents so much of what is good about this Braintree team, the positive attitude in any situation and the constant desire to never believe the game is beyond hope. Jacobs was now the home sides last hope as Bareham somehow survived 20 balls before feathering one through to Kent behind the stumps, who was relieved to hang on to one after a tough day with a few missed chances. Only 1 wicket was required now with Felixstowe needing 13 runs. The last man was the badly injured Sheldrake, who displayed incredible courage in making it out to the middle. With singles not really an option, Jacobs had to try and hit boundaries. He struggled to get the ball away and could only find fielders in the deep. Somehow, with the help of some below average fielding, the pair did manage to sneak a few runs and a boundary from Jacobs left them needing 5 from the last over. Dave hale was the bowler, and with the home side one hit away, tension filled the air. On the first ball of the over, Jacobs went for the big shot but could only find the safe hands of Eveling at long on to give Braintree a jaw dripping victory by just 4 runs.

A crazy match that kept Braintree’s survival hopes alive but with Bury St Edmunds also winning, it means the dolphins must better their points tally or win by a much larger margin to overhaul the net run rate disparity between the two sides. Whatever happens though, this game will be remembered for the true grit and determination Braintree showed