We travelled to Felixstowe looking to make it 9 from 9 on what was certain to be a rain effected game.

At the toss it was agreed that the game would be reduced to 40 overs per side. Chris Hinks won the toss and chose to field first after the rain had stopped.

We got underway and made an early breakthrough when Robbie Spalding had Ryan Cresswell well caught at 2nd slip by Chris Hinks.

Felixstowe slowly built a 2nd wicket partnership which was interrupted by rain, we came off 10 overs in and spent 20 minutes waiting for the rain to clear.

Eventually the umpires said it was dry enough and we returned to the field desperate to break the partnership that was building.

Louis Cant got the breakthrough when Hopkins on 28 flicked off his pads straight to Dan Garner at mid wicket.

The next breakthrough didn't come until after drinks when 3 wickets fell in quick succession. First Will Robbins cleaning the batsman up with a ball that jagged back in off the seam and then sending the new batsman back for a golden duck with another delightful delivery.

The third wicket to fall in the sequence was the set batsman Joe Rusby who was run out superbly by Grace Poole.

The rain then returned and was at one point coming in horizontally and it looked like the end of the game. The umpires said we'll take an early tea break and much to everyone's surprise shortly after tea we were back on the pitch ready to bowl the final 10 overs.

We'd lost a lot of momentum and some chances went begging whilst Felixstowe started to attack the bowling from both ends. Only 1 more wicket was claim by Chris Hinks when he bowled the Felixstowe keeper for 18.

Felixstowe finishing on 184. From their 40 overs.

Braintree went out to bat at nearly 5.30pm and Chris Hinks set about getting after the bowling from each end and had raced to 40 when Matt was only on 10. After hitting the biggest 6 of the day Matt edged behind to give Felixstowe a breakthrough they desperately needed.

Unfortunately wickets fell at regular intervals thereafter with Louis Cant, Josh Newman and Chris Hinks all returning to the pavillion.

Dan Garner and Bryn Powell attempted to stabilize the innings, but the pivotal partnership came from Bryn and Will, who inched us closer to the target. Drama unfolded when Himesh Patel, caught in two minds, ran Bryn out.

Grace Poole entered with intent to accelerate the scoring rate but was caught, leaving the lower order with too much to do. Josh Paget, maintaining a commendable 100 strike rate, remained not out. The game concluded on a disappointing note when Himesh, attempting a lofty shot, was caught, sealing the 44-run victory for Felixstowe.

It was a day dominated by wet and windy weather, with no cricket teas to comfort the players. Despite the loss, there were notable individual performances and moments that Braintree Cricket Club can build on for future matches.