Braintree made the short journey to Copford this week looking to make it 6 from 6 on what is usually a difficult away day and it didn’t start well as skipper, Chris Hinks, lost the toss and was asked to bat on a pitch that looked uneven and bare.

Undeterred, the Braintree openers got off to a quick start racing to 33 off 4 overs before Matt Renvoize chipped to Catley at mid-on for just 8. This brought Chris Leech to the crease and before he could get going was bowled by an absolute peach of a delivery from Jonny Blanke for 5 to leave Braintree 2 down for 57.

Chris Hinks had seen off the new ball and looking to up the scoring rate when he was very well caught on the boundary by James Bell for a well-made 35 and Will Jackson continued his good form in making the same score, which included an array of elegant strokes.

When Josh Newman went for just 6 Chris Walker joined Jackson at the crease averaging 139 away from home and he attacked the bowling from the onset scoring an aggressive 50 off just 55 balls before being adjudged LBW to Ian Catley for 52

Braintree felt 200 was a competitive score which had been reached during Chris Walkers innings and Dan Garner pushed the score towards 250 whilst being supported by Louis Cant and Bryn Powell. Garner making 36 and continuing his fine form this season as Braintree posted an above par 256 on a difficult wicket.

Dan King returning to the first team for the first time in a few years got Braintree off to the perfect start, claiming the big wicket of Copford Captain Ian Catley for just 2, Will Jackson holding on to the catch and returned figures of 1-40 from his 9 overs conceding just 2 boundaries in his spell.

At the other end Louis Cant took the new ball and also bowled with great control getting the ball to turn regularly.

The Copford middle order provided some resistance but the damage had been done due to the slow start meaning the batsman needed to play some shots.

James Bell done just this like he so often has against Braintree but when on 37 he was bowled by Louis Cant when he returned for his second spell.

Theo Sherry impressed in making his 1st XI debut aged just 14. He bowled superbly across 2 spells and really deserved a wicket, a few chances went down off his bowling and on a other day he would have had a couple to his name but a great debut for him and one to watch out for in the coming years.

Chris Walker continued his great away form claiming another 2 wickets and cementing himself as a crucial all rounder in the team but the pick of the bowlers was skipper Chris Hinks who took 3 wickets for just 30 runs and returned himself to top of the wicket taking charts after a slow start to the season by his lofty standards.

Braintree closed out an emphatic victory by 75 runs and extended their lead at the top of division 2 to 23 points whilst having a game in hand on 2nd and 3rd place. Next up is the visit of Woolpit