This week the 2nd XI returned home to St. Peter's Road to play against the not so local opposition of Yoxford, who commendably made the 50-mile journey with only 8 available players, affording the Dolphins an easier look at the full 20 points. After captain Andrew Gowers won the toss and elected to bat, Dave Hale and Geoff Eveling once again took to the middle, putting on a solid opening stand of 40 before Eveling was once again removed by a sharp catch in the slips for 18 with Yoxford employing 2 slips and a gully despite having 6 outfielders. Matt Kent then came to the crease to join Hale and with the pair consolidating the Yoxford attack began to find their lines. However, after seeing himself in, Hale began to hit out, placing some beautiful shots in between and over the infield, most notably a six down to long on to bring up his half century. Kent also played some exquisite shots, with his textbook straight
drive featuring many times on his way to 50. The tale momentarily turned in Yoxford's favour, as Kent was then bowled for an almost run a ball 77 after a 141 run partnership with Hale, and last weeks match winner’ Andrew Sherry, tamely chipping back to the bowler the next ball for a golden duck. With the score at 181 for 3 after 32 overs in a game reduced to 40 overs in each innings due to concerns about the weather, Hale decided it was time to push for more runs, but after hitting a couple of boundaries, he was caught in the deep for 70. Ian Johnston strode out to the middle, with the Dolphins now looking to push on with only 5 overs left. Joe Osborne launched the bowler straight back over his head for four, before chopping onto his stumps, bringing in the skipper. Gowers proceeded to hit four huge maximums over cow corner, one into the car park, whilst also pushing as many quick runs as possible with Johnston, who was eventually ran out at the bowlers end for 9. Vice Captain Dan King came to the crease, essentially being a runner for the last few balls, as Gowers kept the strike, finishing with a well timed four through the leg side, taking Braintree's total up to 250-6. The pick of the bunch for Yoxford being David Driver, taking 3-73.

After the break, the Dolphins looked to topple over the 8 man Yoxford lineup before the rain hit, with King getting them the perfect start removing David Driver first ball of the innings. A curious dismissal with a full ball outside of leg stump hitting the back of his bat and looping to Andrew Sherry at first slip. King then struck again in his next over, removing Jacob Smith, Eveling taking a regulation catch at gully. Not long after, King got his third scalp, removing the dangerous Tom Driver for 1. Having scored 100* in his last outing he nicked wide of second slip where Dave Hale took an absolute worldie diving to his right. The Yoxford batters then looked to form some sort of resistance, before captain Gowers himself struck, removing Chris Mears for 23, Hale taking his second catch in more regulation fashion. Adam Cox came and went without troubling the scorers, youngster Theo Sherry bowling him through the gate which brought James Thurston to the middle to look to stay with the in batter William Driver. However, soon after Driver found Hale at slip yet again, with Gowers getting his second scalp of the match. With light fading and rain starting to spit in the air, the skipper brought on his leg spin duo of Calley Foyster and Toby Adcock, with the former bowling tightly and the latter taking the final wicket of Paul Ray, who looked to enjoy his time in the middle, playing a vast range of shots, including two attempted reverse scoops, eventually launching to Johnston at long off who took a spectacular diving grab. Braintree finally managed to bowl out Yoxford for 104, securing all 20 points.

Once again a successful outing for the team, with fantastic individual performances from Kent (77), Hale (70 and three catches), Gowers (39* off 17 balls and 2-10) and King (3-20 off 9 overs with 4 maidens), leaving the Dolphins top of Division 7 after the first 2 games, 40/40 points so far