WHILE a final day call-off denied Braintree Cricket Club the opportunity to sign off their season with a win, captain Barry Stephens feels they should still look back at it as a largely positive campaign.

Braintree did not see action on the last day of the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship division two season after Copdock conceded their fixture last weekend.

Stephens said it was a disappointing way to conclude things as his team had wanted to finish positively following three consecutive defeats that had seen them drop out of the division two title race in the closing weeks of the campaign.

Despite them missing out on promotion this year, though, and the way the season finished, Stephens feels it should not cloud the positive aspects of an otherwise successful year.

He said: "It was a very disappointing final day as we were looking forward to a last game of the season to finish on a high.

"There wasn't a great deal to play for in terms of league positions, but it was more so from a club and team perspective that we wanted to finish the season with a win.

"It is what it is, though.

"Two or three losses to the end the season shouldn't cloud what we've done this year. "We've had a good season when we've been top and just haven't been able to get it over the line at the end.

"We have to see it that we only narrowly missed out and there are things for us to learn from and mistakes that we can put right.

"I think we have had a good season.

"Dan Garner did an excellent job in captaining the side through most of the season and his hard work got us up there challenging for the title.

"There have been some good performances from everyone and I think everyone realises that.

"What we must do now, though, is look at how we missed out on promotion and use that to push on next year, but I'm pleased with the season we've had in finishing third."

Stephens had special thanks for all the volunteers who have helped Braintree this season, including scorer Trevor Partridge, the club's groundstaff and bar staff, those who have made teas and families for supporting the respective teams.

He said the winter would give time to reflect on what had gone on this year.

"We need to accept and analyse where we have gone wrong and put those mistakes right," added Stephens.

"It's up to us to do that if we are serious about getting back into division one.

"If we don't put right what has gone wrong, then we will stay in division two, simple as that as only the best teams and players play in division one and higher.

"We need to get those small aspects right as individuals and as a team and, if we are serious, then we must make sure we perform to the best of our abilities.

"I don't want us to forget that we have had a good season, though.

"Warren (Celiz), Dan Chalk and Chris Leech have all had strong seasons at the top of the order and myself, Dean Bass and Robbie (Spalding) have led the way with bowling, so we have had good performances, but maybe everyone just needs a little bit more.

"It will just push us a little bit more and there's something for us all to learn from this season, but I'm happy with what we have done overall.

"It's just a shame that we couldn't finish it off with a win to take us into the winter."