31st May 2008

Away

vs Broxbourne III

League

A tall order needs a tall man.

This week we were away to Broxbourne III who were also undefeated this season and were in 4^th place.

Dolphins started the day well winning the toss and inserting Broxbourne. We played on their second pitch that was very long and narrow across the pitch, with a canal running along the square leg boundary. Tony Hall was welcomed back for his first appearance this season.

Broxbourne had a very good batting record so far this season, so we would have our work cut out to bowl them out! Dolphins got off to the best of starts when Broxbourne’s opener pushed a ball to Teach fielding at square leg and elected to take on Teach’s arm going for a quick single. Big mistake a direct hit by Teach left their opener stranded.

Good opening spells from Holdy and Coco saw Broxborne in more trouble at 62-3. One well held catch by Zippy playing as keeper in Deano’s absence off of Holdy’s bowling.

Another Broxbourne player decided to take on Teach’s arm again, big mistake no.2.  102-4.

Broxbourne started to turn the screw and go after the bowling whilst Tom and Ritchie G were bowling. Some very close appeals went against Dolphins and Broxbourne made some very quick runs, until an opportunity of a straight forward caught and bowled was snapped up by Tom. 156-5.

Teach came into the attack and with his first ball almost held a caught and bowled to a ball that was rifled back at him. Teach then continued his magic touch when he clean bowled G Davies without scoring . 161-6

Brett Row bowled well frustrating Seany who was anxious to get on with it and pushed a ball to cover and called for suicidal run, a gentle throw to Zippy and he was stranded on 98 runs. His luck had run out!  189-7.

Broxbourne then had a late order resurgence, before Coco returned to the fray and stopped the rot due to two good catches in the field. The first catch from Greg at gully, and the second catch by Ant who was fielding at deep? mid-wicket. Ant watched it well and held his nerve to hold on to a big hit. 224-8, 229-9.

Holdy mopped up the tail. 229-10.

A great fielding performance led by some sharp fielding a short fine leg by Tony Hall saving a number of runs throughout the innings. Well played Doc. Although Dolphins fielded well perhaps didn’t have much luck, catches not quite going to hand or sticking.

So 230 was the target on a narrow field and a good track, it seemed a reasonable target, but was it a tall order.

Greg and Chris opened the batting and a good ball from Stony (according to Greg) in the first over saw him clean bowled. Quack quack oops.

Tom and then Ant both decided to give Seany their keeper some catching practice, so unusually for Dolphins this season we were 5 for 3wkts.

Holdy and Chris started to get on top of the bowling and looked comfortable. Chris effortlessly flicked a ball gently over square that not only cleared the boundary, it also cleared the canal, a huge six! Perhaps Dolphins were up for the challenge.

Not to be, shortly afterwards, Chris flicked a ball.off his hip, between square and fine leg, only to find 15yr old Georgy taking two strides to his left and diving forward to catch the ball two inches above the ground.  39-4

Next up Brett Row who fancied his chances on this small pitch, his first scoring shot he pulled through mid-wicket for a delightful four. This brought about a quick change in the field. Brett full of confidence and fit from winter nets pushed a ball in front of square and decided to take a quick single, their was only ever one outcome. Brett was later heard to say “ I don’t normally  do singles let alone quick ones”.   49-5

The tall order had just got taller, enter the Tall Man – Coco was next to the crease, could he put some of his net training into practice?

However, Holdy who was well settled followed Brett, shortly after, giving an easy caught and bowled, having played too early on a slightly slower ball. 54-6

A steady partnership between between Coco and Teach then developed as though Dolphins may bat out the game and get a draw. ‘Only 16 overs to go’ Teach’s words during the over break. A few balls later he was clean bowled leg stump by a ball that straightened off the seam. 69- 7

Next up Ritchie G (and there is only one) joined Coco at the crease , what followed was a fantastic display of  defensive batting and  sensible running that saw Coco and Ritchie bat out the rest of the innings unbeaten. Coco needing to refuel with fluids every other over, following his earlier bowling spell of 13 overs.  Tony Hall waited patiently as next man in. Brett was heard  giving Tony advice – “Don’t be taking too many quick singles, their pretty sharp in the field”. Tony had every confidence in Ritchie and Coco and with about 5 overs to go said “I don’t think I’m going to be required.” While all other Dolphins watched on nervously.

 Dolphins 114-7 - Coco 49 n.o (Dolphin Best). and Ritchie 2 n.o.

A resolute effort by Dolphins to produce a draw.

Although we are no longer top of the league, Dolphins still remain undefeated. Well played everyone especially the Tall Man.

Tom R