Jones confident of maintaining form (From Braintree and Witham Times)

Jones confident of maintaining form

9:27am Wednesday 1st July 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

Braintree Cricket Club captain Simon Jones is confident his side can maintain their impressive form in the second half of the season.

The Panfield Lane side have enjoyed an encouraging opening half of the campaign.

They currently lie in third place in division three of the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship table, with seven wins from their first nine games.

They head into their match at lowly St Margarets on Saturday knowing that a positive result will send them into the second half of the season in positive mood.

And it will also help them maintain the pressure on the sides immediately above them – Lakenheath and leaders Dunmow.

Jones told the Times: “It’s the halfway stage in the cricket season after this weekend and we have to keep it going.

“It’s tight at the moment.

“There are probably four teams going for the two promotion spots.

“But I tend not to look at the league table.

“I tell the lads to keep playing and winning and to just go out and play their cricket.

“The advantage we have is that a lot of the players who have been away during the course of the season will be available now.

“It will be nice to have two years in the next division to help bring through some of the youngsters.

“We’re hoping that the youngsters will be able to take on the mantle.”

Braintree were missing key players last week against Sudbury.

Jones was missing from the starting XI, along with the likes of Daniel King, Shaun Gould and Dave Denney.

However, Braintree still cruised to a comfortable 113-run win (turn to page 62 for full report and scorecard).

Rory Ainsley hit a rapid century, scoring 101 off 105 balls.

“The runs and the wickets are being shared around a bit,” said Jones.

“The likes of Dave Denny, Neil Cox, Rory Ainsley, Barry Stephens and myself have all stepped up during the course of the season.

“Last season, it was more down to me, Neil Cox and Dave Denny to come up with the runs.”

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)