On a glorious summer's day, the 1st XI made the short trip to Dunmow in what was being billed as their toughest test of the season thus far with the team's sitting 1st and second in the Division 2 table and when Captain Chris Hinks lost the toss he was surprised to be inserted to bat.

Dunmow were on the board early when Hinks himself was adjudged to be trapped in front by an in-swinging Yorker and the umpire raised his finger to send him back

At the other end Matt Renvoize got stuck into Dunmow’s overseas who missed his length regularly and gave him plenty of opportunity to drive. However, it was one of those full balls that would cause his downfall as he struck one to the fielder at mid-on who took a good low catch, dismissing him for 29 just as he was starting to get going.

Josh Newman and Dan Chalk were at the crease and looking solid until Chalk edged to the man at gully who claimed a catch very low to the ground that raised a few eyebrows amongst the watching Braintree players and spectators alike

Louis Cant joined Newman in the middle and both of them set about attacking the spin of Mel Hussain and put on 40 before Cant was caught. Bryn Powell joined Newman and displayed an array of agricultural shots mixed with glorious drives but struggled to pierce the field and when he was bowled Dunmow were on top, although a subdued Dunmow side that seemed to lack spark, suggested otherwise.

At 119/5 Chris Walker came to the middle where he set about steadying the ship and guide the Dolphins to a defendable total whilst Josh Newman carried on striking the ball well until he smashed a half volley straight to the fielder at point who caught the ball in self defence. A well made 39 for Newman but Braintree needed someone to kick on after getting in.

It was Walker that would provide the innings with some real impetous as he flailed the ball to all parts of the ground - the 200 target came and went in the blink of eye as his 50 came up in the 40th over. By the time the 45th had started he had moved on to 92 and on strike only for him to take a single off the first ball and finish on 93 off just 54 balls. A truly destructive innings where no bowler was safe going a long was to help Braintree post a fantastic 251 for 9.

The talk at tea from the Dunmow was about how poorly Braintree had batted and how under par the score was which added to the motivation of the Dolphins.

The Dunmow openers went on the attack from the off, targeting in particular the short boundary and they set a solid foundation for the chase, reaching 97 without loss but a mix up between the pair gave Louis Cant the opportunity to run out Mel Hussain which he grabbed and gave Braintree a window back into the game. A huge breakthrough created by pressure from miserly spells from Grace Poole and Cant himself.

Poole continued to put pressure on the batsman and bowled a very tight line making them play every ball. She had Joe Gallant and Dunmow Overseas Evan Dunnachie both caught to leading edges and then proceeded to bowl Stuart Felstead for a well made half century.

Matt Childs came on to bowl after Poole rattled through 9 overs very quickly and claimed his maiden 1st XI wicket, bowling with good control to continue the pressure that had been created prior to his introduction.

Braintree were in the ascendency when he ball was thrown to Chris Walker who continued to have a great day out in front of his dad who had driven 200 miles to watch the game. He claimed 4 wickets from his 9 overs, 3 caught and 1 bowled and also took 2 catches in the field himself to ensure Braintree won by 38 runs and continued their impressive unbeaten start to the season moving 11 points clear at the top with a game in hand.

Talk after the game from those who watched was how this was possibly the best fielding and bowling display Braintree have put on in the last few years with everyone contributing somewhere and chasing every ball to the end – some huge positives coming out of the side and after a difficult 2023, the future is bright for The Dolphins.