BRAINTREE Cricket Club captain Will Jackson believes the maturity his team showed in their memorable win against Wivenhoe shows how they are worthy of their place in the top flight of the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship.

Having seen their title-chasing visitors race away at the start of the game, Braintree's bowlers pegged Wivenhoe back - including a five-wicket haul for Dean Bass - and they then settled into an impressive and measured run chase and got home for a one-wicket victory.

It was the perfect response to a disappointing defeat by Worlington seven days before and Jackson feels the way his players handled the game against a side sitting second and pushing hard for title honours this year demonstrates the strides forward they have made this year.

"It was a bit of a nailbiter at the end, but it was a big win for us," said Jackson.

"We did so well to claw it back as they were 102 for nought after making a strong start and were going nicely, but Dean Bass took a five-for to get us back.

"He has now taken a division one five-wicket haul and got a century to his name and it really did get us back into the game as we bowled them out for 208.

"That showed exceptional character from the boys and the way we kept fighting was very impressive.

"We dug deep and took our chances and I was very pleased to see that.

"I was also pleased with how we never panicked in the run chase as we knew we could get over the line and people batted very maturely.

"We know we belong at this level now and it was a very controlled innings from the boys.

"When we have been chasing totals before, we have sometimes panicked a bit, but everyone controlled things this time.

"While we would have liked to have got home with fewer wickets down, it was a very measured run chase.

"I think it shows that after 13 games at this level, we know we can compete at this level.

"We wanted to come up and pit ourselves against the strongest teams and players who have played representative cricket and we are now mixing it with them and stepping up to the challenge."

That challenge will continue on Saturday as Braintree will face a potentially even tougher test as they head to leaders Mildenhall, Jackson knows they shouldn't travel with any fear.

He added: "We now have to take it on and we face Mildenhall on Saturday, which will be tough, but they lost last weekend so we know they are beatable.

"We beat a very strong Wivenhoe side and we know we can go to that next level now.

"It's all about finding consistency against the top sides."

However, Braintree will have to make the trip to Mildenhall without Rory Ainsley, who scored a half-century against Wivenhoe last weekend, and Dan Chalk as they are both unavailable, while Barry Stephens, Steve Hale and Dave Hale are all injured.