BRAINTREE Cricket Club captain Louis Cant was impressed by how his players kept their focus in testing conditions to dispatch Clacton in their Marshall Hatchick Two Counties Championship division two clash at Vista Road.

The Dolphins dominated with bat and ball against their hosts, with Robbie Spalding claiming a five-wicket haul and Den Bass picking up another three victims as the Seasiders were all out for just 88.

Bass then led the way with the bat in a man-of-the-match display as he joined Warren Celiz and the pair both finished unbeaten on 32 as they guided the side to their target inside 30 overs.

As well as Clacton not helping themselves, Cant was delighted that his players were able able to stick to their task despite some difficult weather conditions on the day.

The Braintree skipper said: "We bowled to our plans very well and were able to benefit from some very careless batting on Clacton’s part.

"We took our chances and once Robbie Spalding got into his groove there was no stopping him.

"Other than a shaky second over, he bowled a brilliant line and length, really taking advantage of the bowler-friendly conditions.

"We had plan of bowling an off stump line with a strong offside field and letting the pitch do the work.

"We kept our focus throughout the multiple rain breaks and did very well to come back out each time and pick up where we left off.

"Warren (Celiz) played a very different innings to his usual style and kept his composure on a very difficult wet batting track, requiring great concentration at all times.

"It was also very enjoyable watching Dean Bass hit a huge six to finish the game."

Braintree will now look to make it three wins in a row when they host Elmstead at Panfield Lane on Saturday and Cant is expecting another strong turnout.

He added: "It's probably the strongest batting line-up we’ve had this year and, with Dean Bass and Robbie Spalding bowling the way they are at the moment, our bowling attack is going to do well."