Close victory for the Rays (From Braintree and Witham Times)

Close victory for the Rays

5:35pm Tuesday 9th September 2008 in Sport

A depleted Braintree Rays secured a close victory over Southampton Mustangs.

Both sides had reduced team availability and there were also concerns over the weather, with the fixture having already been rearranged twice.

The first three innings saw Braintree take a 3-1 lead from runs by Warren Shrimpton (2) and Ben Watling.

In the fourth inning, Southampton clawed two runs back and levelled the score as Braintree failed to add to their runs.

As the next innings progressed, the Rays added to their score with a surge of runs in the fifth inning as Southampton added just one.

Braintree’s one extra player was propelled into the game after an umpiring decision saw the Ray’s Dave Lobb ejected from the field.

At the top of the ninth inning the game was close to call, with Braintree 8-5 ahead.

The Rays promptly added seven runs to their total with an impressive offence seeing most of the team home to score.

With a 15-5 lead at the bottom of the inning, only a collapse would see them lose.

Southampton rallied despite having a weakened defence, even though the Rays pitcher, Shane Macro, had taken their first two outs.

Braintree suddenly had an attack of nerves and a number of wayward throws allowed the Mustangs to add six runs and bring the game uncomfortably close.

Dan Grimwood finally made a throw to Rudy Moss at Short Stop, who made the final out at second base.

The Rays had managed to grasp a victory from the jaws of defeat to ensure a happy mood on the long journey home to Essex.

The Rays travel to Reading for their last game of the season.