Braintree 1st XI played host to Kelvedon this week, looking to make it 8 from 8 in the league to maintain their perfect start and continue their push for a return to Division 1.

Skipper Chris Hinks won the toss and chose to bat on a cool and breezy afternoon and it was he himself who took the initiative in the early exchanges scoring 21 from 20 balls before being superbly caught at long on by Dan Wheeler.

Chris Leech joined Matt Renvoize in the middle and between them built a solid second wicket partnership. Kelvedon were bowling very well to a plan to restrict both Leech and Renvoize but both were able to see off the opening attack and 62 between them until a change of bowling brought a change of luck for Kelvedon when Leech nicked behind just as he had threatened to put the bowlers to the sword and push the score along.

At 87/2 Braintree were still in a strong position with a set batsman at the crease and reached drinks on 101/2 and the talk was to just continue what they where doing.

Unfortunately, the plan unravelled quicky after drinks when Louis Cant offered a caught and bowled to Thomas Patterson via the leading edge dismissed for just 2 and Josh Newman quickly followed LBW, again to Patterson, as he failed to trouble the scorers.

Bryn Powell joined Renvoize in the middle however the collapse continued when the latter was caught at mid-on for a well-made 44 leaving Braintree 125-5. That became 130-6 when Joe Osborne has his stumps disturbed and 137-7 when Powell’s bright innings ended abruptly on 23. The last 3 wickets fell without any addition to the score leaving the Dolphins a big task to keep their unbeaten run going. Thomas Patterson the pick of the bowlers for Kelvedon with 5-18, supported ably by Richard Nunn who took 4-24

Kelvedon openers Jack Hyslop and Richard Nunn got their chase off to a slow and steady start taking very few risks as they looked to build a solid partnership in pursuit of their low target.

It wasn't until Louis Cant came into the attack that Braintree got their breakthrough dismissing the well set Jack Hyslop for 22 with the opening partnership worth 51 and just another 87 required for victory.


Dan King into his 8th over continued his fine form when he took the edge of the new batsman Dan Wheeler who was caught superbly at 1st slip by captain Chris Hinks diving forward to give Braintree a glimmer of hope. If Braintree were to have any chance they would have to take every chance and Hinks set the standards early on.

Kelvedon tip toed their way to 87-2 when Lewis Hart overstretched to a Louis Cant delivery and was stumped by Renvoize with some sharp keeping.

Braintree now buzzing in the field knew the next wicket was vital, Matt Childs had come on at the town end looking to bowl a tight line and keep the batsman playing, in his 2nd over of the day he had Kelvedon captain Lee Scott trudging back to the pavillion after he'd chipped a delivery in not the grateful hands of Louis Cant at point.

At drinks Kelvedon were 96/4 just 42 runs shy of victory. The momentum had swung though and Braintree were fielding like their lives depended on it. The pressure was building and when Connor Warne looked to hit over the top Joe Osbourne took a superb catch running backwards towards the fence. He was mobbed by his team mates as it really felt the tide had turned.

However, Kelvedon still had their set opening batsman Richard Nunn watching from the other end not out on 39. That was until Chris Hinks wrapped him on the pad, plumb in front of the stumps with the last ball of the 27th over.

With the first delivery of the next over, Louis Cant had another wicket. With Dolman looking to get the game done, he tried to drive him straight just for Cant to take a sharp caught and bowled chance leaving Kelvedon 105/7. Just 2 overs later he claimed his 4th victim and bringing an end to a spell of 4 wickets in 16 balls for just 1 run between himself and Chris Hinks.

With just 2 wickets left Braintree were firmly on top when Alex Holder top edged a Chris Hinks delivery out to birthday boy Bryn Powell on the boundary who made no mistake.

As has often been the case this season number 10 and 11 have frustrated Braintree. This week was no different with the last partnership starting to threaten Braintree's modest 137 total.

Kelvedon were edging towards victory when out of the blue Tom Patterson launch Chris Hinks for 6 over the fence and leaving themselves with just 7 runs to win. Chris Hinks closed out his over with a dot ball as Braintree managed to keep the nervous number 11 on strike.

The 38th over and Chris Leech had the ball in hand. Kelvedon requiring just 7 runs for victory.

A dot ball to start the over but the next ball to be bowled was the last of the game, as Leech sauntered in again and produced a peach of a delivery that clattered into the stumps of George Curtis to leave Kelvedon 6 runs short and Braintree jubilant.

The Mighty Dolphins go marching on maintaining their 23 point lead at the top of table with a game in hand and a visit to second placed Felixstowe & Corinthians up next.