Braintree CC skipper will have full compliment for clash with Worling CC (From Gazette)

Braintree CC skipper will have full compliment for clash with Worling CC

2:00pm Friday 10th July 2009 in

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BRAINTREE skipper Simon Jones faces a rare luxury this weekend – being able to pick from a full-strength squad.

It will be the first time this season he has been able to do that, as his troops continue their push for the title with an intriguing match against Worlington.

Even with players missing every week, Braintree are riding high in third spot in division three, breathing down the necks of high-flyers Dunmow and Lakenheath.

And that speaks volumes for the strength in depth at Panfield Lane, not to mention the talent of the club’s up-and-coming young players.

“It’s been a great season for us and we’ve played some excellent, positive cricket,” Jones told the Gazette.

“Our policy has been to play a lot of young players, which has worked a treat, and we’ve also got four or five more senior, experienced guys in the team.

“That means there’s a real mix and, so far, it’s served us very well.

“Believe it or not, tomorrow will be the first time I’ve had a full-strength squad available.

“Despite that, we’re third in the table which says a lot about the quality of the young players coming through.”

Jones is adamant his side can continue their promotion push, although knows tomorrow’s game will be tough against the side just one place below.

“We can definitely sustain this form and challenge for the title,” said the number three batsman.

“There’s no reason why not and if we can win tomorrow it’ll put some daylight between us and Worlington.”

Elsewhere, Clacton entertain Bury St Edmunds, Little Bardfield Village go to Exning and Kelvedon and Feering travel to Stowmarket.

In division one, Frinton – second in the table – will be looking to enhance their title challenge when they entertain fellow high-flyers Exning.

Coggeshall, breathing down their necks in third, have no match this weekend and neither do mid-table Abberton.

Further down the table, fourth-from-bottom Mistley will be desperate to bounce back from Saturday’s thumping 128-run defeat against Coggeshall when they travel to Mildenhall.

Skipper John Manning is demanding a better performance after last week’s ‘abysmal day at the office’.

“Suffice to say, we’re hoping for a big improvement,” he said.

“On paper, our strength this season is our batting but it seems to be letting us down every week.

“To be honest, it’s getting a bit boring making the same excuses.

“A couple of questionable umpiring decisions went against two of our better players last week, which didn’t help, but everyone else was guilty of giving their wickets away.

“There wasn’t a lot of resistance from any of our batsmen and, overall, I’d have to say it was a fairly abysmal day at the office.”

All-rounder Paul Garwood returns after a couple of weeks out with a thigh strain but they will be without the unavailable Marlon Dias.

Elmstead Grasshoppers will be keen to continue their recent revival but face the toughest of tasks when they travel to leaders Copdock and Old Ipswichians.

Second-from-bottom Wivenhoe appear to have a major relegation fight on their hands and will be desperate for points when they go to Sudbury.

In division two, runaway leaders Maldon looks destined for more points when they welcome struggling Brockley to Drapers Farm.

At the other end of the table, fourth-from-bottom Brightlingsea go to Felixstowe while Witham have what appears a must-win home game with basement boys Mildenhall.