BRAINTREE Cricket Club will be hoping to bounce back quickly from their derby day disappointment as they look for a strong finish to the Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship season.

An under par show led to a nine-wicket defeat at local rivals Witham last weekend, but Braintree now face a run of games against sides in and around them in the division one table.

And skipper Will Jackson wants his team to respond positively to the derby setback, starting with a home game against Hadleigh on Saturday.

“Hadleigh is definitely a winnable game,” he said.

“We felt they were fortunate to beat us at their place as they had a few umpiring decisions go in their favour, but we’re strong at our ground and have won the last two there.

“They will come knowing that we are strong there as well so we’ll be looking to bounce back.

“From now on, all our games are against teams in and amongst us so they should all be games that we look to win.

“Sides around us, meanwhile, still have to play sides at the top so we’re looking to climb the table and put a good run together in the final third of the season.”

Jackson said he may have some selection dilemmas for the game against Hadleigh as he had Ben Golds available again.

What he will be looking for, though, is a better showing than last weekend.

Braintree were on the back foot early at Witham and losing early wickets didn’t help as they were all out for 173 and the home batsmen then romped past the total in just 29.1 overs.

“We didn’t get off to a good start by losing early wickets,” added Jackson.

“You have to adjust and rebuild when that happens but there were some loose shots in our play.

"I don’t think the derby nature of the game was anything to do with it; it was just that we didn’t adjust to the pitch and the outfield.

“It was definitely an off day with the bat but Witham did bowl and field well.

“Then with just 173 to defend, it gave them licence to attack the ball from the off and they came out hard and with intent.

“We didn’t take our chances either as Jake (Wakelin) was dropped early on and went on to score 60-odd.

“We just weren’t good enough in all areas.”