BRAINTREE Cricket Club captain Dan Garner recognised the importance of his team's win at Clacton last weekend ahead of a potentially testing spell in Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship division two.

A four-wicket triumph at Vista Road brought Braintree their first away win of the season and with them back home on Saturday against unbeaten Lakenheath and then due to travel to early pacesetters Haverhill the week after, Garner knew the magnitude of his team's strong display against Clacton.

He said: "The win away was very important' we have some huge games coming up against Lakenheath, who are undefeated so far this season, at home this week and then away at Haverhill, who are top of the league and by all accounts looking very strong.

"So to get some consistency in our performance was important and to continue the winning feeling to breed some more confidence going into these games is great."

Garner said he expected to be able to name a strong side for the visit of Lakenheath, with Dean Bass able to play again and Rory Ainsley could also be available after scoring an unbeaten 91 in Braintree seconds' 46-run win against Long Melford seconds in division six last weekend.

Braintree will be looking for another strong performance on Saturday to back up the one at Clacton.

Having seen the hosts make a solid start as Braintree's seam bowlers struggled to get much purchase on a flat abrasive Vista Road pitch, the spin partnership of Barry Stephens and Louis Cant turned things in the visitors' favour by taking five for 35 off 12 overs and four for 52 off ten respectively.

Warren Celiz then backed up the century he made the week before with a powerful 77, while Dan Chalk hit 41 to give the visitors' chase a solid base and although they saw wickets fall in the middle overs, Braintree had Major Singh, who was making his debut for the club, hit 28 off 27 balls to see them over the line.

Garner added: "The game against Clacton wasn’t always straightforward as Clacton got off to a good start in their innings due to a flat abrasive pitch that offered very little for our seamers.

"In general, our seamers bowled well on a pitch that offered very little and it was difficult to expect more, but our control in the second half of Clacton’s innings - where we were starting to be under pressure - was excellent.

"Louis and Barry bowled very well, which was backed up by a spirited fielding display, epitomised by a superb one-handed catch by Chris Leech in the slips at full length.

"Our innings then started positively again, with Warren (Celiz) continuing his good form with a strong and powerful 77.

"Dan Chalk joined him at 41 for one and contributed 41 off 43 balls in a partnership of 89 for the second wicket, which got us most of the way home.

"Again we struggled in the middle overs, losing four wickets for just 11 runs, but debutant Major Singh came in and finished the game with a free-striking 28 off 27 balls."

"Obviously again we have had that mini collapse in our batting innings, which needs to be rectified, but our performance was pleasing to win away from home."