ST MARGARETS.............................171-8

BRAINTREE......................................169-7

(St Margarets won by two runs)

(Jaygate Homes Two Counties Championship)

Braintree slumped to a shock two run defeat on Saturday to lowly St Margarets.

After restricting the Ipswich based side to 171 on a good wicket with a fast outfield, the home side appeared set for victory with 27 runs required from the final five overs with six wickets in hand.

However, with six runs required off the final over, Braintree managed to clutch defeat from the jaws of victory with Dave Hale coming in to face the final ball of the match with three runs still required.

Hale struck a full pitched delivery straight back to spinner Wilmington who made a fine diving stop to gather the ball and run out the Braintree all-rounder.

Earlier in the day, St Margarets'opener Hitchmough played through the entire 45 overs for an undefeated 79.

For Braintree, off spinner Shaun Gould took three for 64 from 17 overs while Dave Hale returned three for 39 from 12 overs.

After losing skipper Gooday in the sixth over, Dave Denny and Andy Cook added 74 runs in 15 overs before Denny was caught and bowled by Howlett for 37.

When Andy Cook was out for 48 with the score on 95 in the 27th over, Braintree still appeared to be in a strong position.

However, despite 28 from Mel Fullgabe and 34 by Neil Williams, Braintree were unable to reach their target and as a consequence, lost their position at the top of the League.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.