The website won't be updated next week as I shall be sunning myself in Devon (hopefully!)

Just a thought to be going on with, since the league expanded to 19 games in 2004 the most number of points required for promotion was 380 ...
 

Chorleywood are the visitors on Saturday as Dolphins look to retain their top spot. Promoted to Division Ten in 2005 they currently lie on the fringes of the promotions race in 7th place having won 5 of their 11 games so far this season. Last week they were involved in a high scoring draw against Dunstable and missed victory by just a single wicket.

This our third meeting since their elevation to this level and for the third time the venue will be Rothamstead Park. So far this hasn't been a happy hunting ground for Chorleywood, losing by 7 wickets in 2006 and by 99 runs in 2007. The 2006 game was notable for Tom Roche's 8 wickets whilst 2007 saw Holdy claim a half century and Jason take 4 wickets. Details on the link opposite.

The autograph hunters will be out in force this weekend as two Dolphin legends return to the fold. Lofty will be donning the keepers gloves whilst 'Banana boy' Rich Gilbert will be looking for the edges to keep him busy. Also returning will be Lee Lambert whilst the average age will be lowered with the addition of junior versions of Jubby and Finchy.
 

Dolphins moved to the top of the table thanks to a hard fought victory over Old Elizabethans on Saturday. Zippy won a very important toss and asked the hosts to bat on what was still a damp wicket. He was rewarded for his decision by Ron, Coco and Holdy who reduced Elizabethans to 25 for 6 at the half way point. Dolphs were unable to to capitalise on this great start and some lusty blows from Palfry, who finished unbeaten on 89, left us to chase a target of 151. Special mention must go to Coco whose superb spell deserved more than 2 wickets.

After a shaky start, Amit and Tom steadied the ship and at 80 for 2 Dolphins were very much in the ascendancy. Two quick wickets changed that and Elizabethans sensed they could pull off what would have been a surprise victory. Coco and Holdy had other ideas though and a partnership of 36 was garnered before a very harsh LBW decision accounted for Coco's wicket. Holdy and Jonathan Barclay saw us home with 2 overs to spare, the 30 points enough to see us regain top spot.

Dolphins continued their impressive start to the season on Saturday with victory over Kings Langley. Our visitors won the toss, invited the Dolphins to bat and then spent three hours chasing the ball to all parts of Rothamsted Park. 'Chuckle' brothers Ant and Chris laid the foundations for the innings with a solid stand of 63. Chris reached his half century but as drinks were called he fell trying to raise the run rate. Holdy made a brisk 63 following his elevation in the batting order and together with Richie Gull put on 82 for the 3rd wicket. A last push from Will and Tom helped Dolphins to a seasons best 242-6.

Langley made a bold start in pursuit of Dolphins target and after 20 overs were up with the rate at 109-1. It took an excellent catch from Will Gull to inspire the Dolphins and as Zippy rotated his attack, runs dried up and wickets fell. With overs running out it looked like points might be dropped but wickets from Ron and Holdy brought Langley's last man to the crease. Zippy, in a final throw of the dice, brought Bret back in what turned out to be an inspired move. Ant took a fine diving catch from Bret's second ball and gave Dolphins a springboard for the second half of the season.

 

Bret Rowe produced his best performance in a Dolphins shirt to see off bottom club Cheshunt on Saturday. Having been asked to bowl Dolphs struggled bowling on a slow wicket but eventually Holdy made the breakthrough as the first wicket fell at 46. Skipper Tom Roche then took the pace off the ball introducing Bret and Amit to the attack, a move that turned out to be inspired. Bret quickly dismissed the other opener and despite some dogged resistance, the other 9 Cheshunt wickets only added 61 more runs. Bret finished with 6-31 and the unlucky Amit 2-21.

Dolphins eventually made the target despite the early setback of losing Chris Rayner, who failed to trouble the scorer. Chris' brother Ant made a career best 41 whilst Amit chipped in with 26. After the weekends results the Dolphins have climbed back up to second place just 18 points adrift of leaders Leverstock Green.

Dolphins failed to build on last weekends victory as they were beaten by city neighbours St Albans. Unusually our game on the top pitch was passed fit to play but St Albans IIIs game on the lower pitch wasn't. That meant their IVs were able to strengthen their ranks with the IIISs captain, Guy Black, who bowled 20 overs and saw them home with an unbeaten 19.

Having lost the toss and being inserted on a green Rothamsted pitch the omens weren't good. Dolphins however applied themselves to the task at hand and a total of 182 was definitely above par. Once again Chris Rayner was the rock around which the innings was built with 71. Four other Dolphins reached double figures, the best of which came from Coco whose lusty 34 included a huge six.

After an early breakthrough from Holdy, Dolphs looked to apply further pressure. Hancock survived two close shaves before he stamped his authority on the game. His 69 came in just 12 overs and Saints were well on their way. Two wickets apiece from Zip and Ron gave the Dolphins a window but this was shut firmly by Black.

Dolphins climbed into second place on Saturday with a hard fought victory over fellow contenders Clifton. Having lost the toss and being asked to bowl, Holdy made an early breakthrough but at 80-1 things looked to be getting away from Dolphs. Quick  wickets from Holdy, Roche and Giovanni reduced the hosts to 102-4 and put the visitors firmly in charge. Opener Duxbury however, made the most of his two lives and swung things back in Clifton's favour. When he reached his century at 183 -5 we were looking down the barrel. Fine bowling from Tom and Ron restricted them to just a further 8 runs and a target of 191, on a track more suited to batting, looked within reach.

Early dismissals reduced Dolphins reply to a familiar 10-2 but Chris Rayner managed to negotiate a tricky early spell and soon became his free flowing self. It was apparent that in this form Chris just needed someone to stay with him, enter Brett who with a league best 31 playing the Ernie Wise role :). Chris was irresistible and finished on 120 not out seeing Dolphins home with 6 overs to spare.

Dolphins crashed to a heavy defeat at home to Letchworth on Saturday. After inserting the opposition, Dolphins struggled to make a breakthrough but tight bowling had restricted the run flow. It took Banana boy Rich Gilbert to make the breakthrough and he went on to take three wickets with the remaining scalps spread across the attack. Despite using the full 53 overs, Letchworth could only manage a very ‘gettable’ 153.

Unfortunately that gettable total turned out to be far too much for a Dolphins side that has still to produce a 50 maker this season. Only three players made double figures and of them the highest was only 13 from Dean Burford. So the Dolphins slumped to a 99 run defeat and things will need to improve if a concerted promotion push is to be sustained.

Saturday's Dolphin performance was definitely not one for the purists but for sheer grit and determination it takes some beating. Zippy won the toss and as tradition dictates inserted them on what turned out to be a belter of a pitch.

At key times throughout Broxbourne's innings Dolphs looked to have made significant breakthroughs but the Umpires decisions didn't go their way. So despite sterling efforts in the field, including 2 great run outs from Teach, we were set a large total of 230.

Ten minutes into the reply at 5 for 3 it looked huge! Talk of a typical Dolphins collapse was however absent from conversation and we started the task of not losing. Forty six overs later Broxbourne had only taken 4 further wickets and the game was drawn. This was in the main down to Andy Gregory who hit a magnificent 49 not out and Richie Gilbert who saw through the last 15 overs for a seasons best ...2!

Special mention to another returning Legend, Tony Hall. Despite being the wrong side of 70 he saved many runs and the team were grateful for his efforts on a day when everyone pulled their weight..

 

Congratulations to fellow Dolphin, Lee Lambert.

Kirsten Rebekah was born Mon 26th May @ 7.17am weighing 7lbs5. Mother and Baby are both fine.

Lee has confirmed his next availability ... 26th May 2036!

Dolphins made it four out of four on Saturday with another convincing win, this time against Boxmoor.

For once Zippy lost the toss and to the surprise of many Dolphs were asked to bowl. The wisdom of that decision was soon called into question as three wickets from Holdy reduced Boxmoor to 29-3. A fourth wicket stand of 39 looked to be getting Boxmoor back into the game but the first of Ron Giovanni's four wickets started a collapse that left Boxmoor posting a total of just 88. Returning legend Lofty claimed the other three wickets and special mention must go to Coco for a great ten over spell and three superb catches at first slip.

Not for the first time this season Dolphs struggled at the top end of the order and were soon in deep trouble at 26-4. Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Lofty, ably assisted by Mr Dependable (Tom Roche) soon took the game away from Boxmoor. Lofty fell for 32, leaving Tom (22) and Holdy (7) to bring home the bacon.

After Saturday's demolition of Dunstable, Dolphins remain the only side with a 100% record in Division 10 and now have a 15 point cushion to second place.

Dolphins were in control of the game from the word go with the Dunstable opener, Alden, ran out on the second ball without facing strike. Banana boy followed this up to remove his opening partner with the first ball of the following over and our visitors from Bedfordshire never recovered. Holdy and Ron Giovanni took 3 wickets each while Bret Rowe wrapped up their innings with the total standing at just 42.

Rich Gull and Chris Rayner wasted no time chasing the meagre total and both were unbeaten at the end. Game over by 4.30pm and it was just as well with rain and mist settling over Harpenden.

Thanks go to Gully (R) for the match report.

The Dolphins took to the road for the first time on Saturday and maintained their 100% record against a very strong Rickmansworth side. Asked to bat on an artificial wicket, Dolphs found themselves struggling at 11 for 2. Amit Mathur and Ant Rayner came together to lift Dolphins to 63 before the third wicket fell with Amit falling just a single short of his half century. The Dolphins looked to be struggling again at 126 for 8 but Jason Brooks with a swashbuckling 40, ably supported by Rich Gilbert, took the total to 168 for 8.

Ricky chased the same target last week for the loss of just two wickets but that never looked likely against a strong Dolphs attack. Early wickets from Jason (2) and Holdy (1) put Ricky under pressure and this was capitalised on by Amit (2) and Andy Gregory (3). Rich Gilbert took the final wicket leaving Ricky 58 runs short of their target.

The Dolphins began their seventh campaign in Division 10, overcoming Old Haberdashers by 2 wickets on Saturday. In a game that swung one way then then the other Tom Roche grabbed the initiative and, with an unbeaten 43, saw Dolphs home.

Ron Giovanni had a memorable debut snaring 6 wickets as Old Haberdashers amassed 142 on a green wicket. Ron was ably supported by Lee Lambert (3 wkts) and Andy Gregory (1 wkt).

Two stands, 48 between Tom and Dean Burford together with 25 between Tom and Lee Lambert were key moments in the victory and hard fought 30 points

We were off to a glorious start yesterday, bowling and fielding exceptionally well on a typically green early season wicket.  And then we batted.  And it's very difficult to recover from 9 for 5 in the 5th over!  So Bamville took the honours, scoring 119-8 in their 35 overs and us posting 76 all out in 30.2 overs - this very much thanks to Dean Buford and Tom Roche pulling us out of the mire.  But we do take a lot of positives into our first league match next week, including some fine bowling from 7 different bowlers used yesterday and some sharp fielding.  And the sun shone!