28th June 2008

Away

vs Cheshunt II

League

Dolphins were this week away to Cheshunt II, who were relegated from division 9  last season and currently find themselves at the bottom of the division.

This week Dolphins were without Zippy who preferred an evening of  Curry Goat, Jerk Pork, Twice Fried Plantains washed down with Malibu and Jamacian Rum whilst wearing a Hawiian shirt!!

Tom Roche stepped in as Captain and started well by losing the toss! Cheshunt elected to bat on an excellent looking wicket on a very sunny afternoon. The thought of fielding for 53 overs in the sun on what looked a good backing track was not appreciated by Dolphins. Tom Jubb and Jonathon Barclay were both welcomed for their first games this season.

The opening pair from Cheshunt played very well and dispatched any full pitched balls outside off stump smartly to the boundary for 4. Coco bowled well in a strong headwind and up a slope. After 14 overs they were 46 without loss and looking comfortable – it looked like it was going to be a long day in the field and a 200+ total to chase.  However the team spirit in Dolphins was great, right from the off we had been fielding well, if a little enthusiastic in the first over when Chris swooping in from point threw a bullet in to Jason but over his head, some great backing up at square leg by Amit saved a certain 4. In the 15^th over our tight fielding was rewarded when one of  their openers edged one to Jason from Holdy.

 The Cheshunt team were scoring well from the fast bowling on a very fast outfield, so we decided to change tack, time for Brett and Amit . What an inspired change despite both bowlers going for 4 off their first overs, what followed was the tightest spell of bowling I have seen  whilst playing for Dolphins and perhaps the best fielding performance from the whole team. Will, Ant and Chris were very sharp in the field saving many singles with their fast approach to the ball, Cheshunt didn’t want to chance it.

Brett quickly found a line and length that Cheshunt couldn’t resist, having to play defensively they quickly tried forcing the issue. A series of shots followed that were mis-timed to point, great catches from Ant and Jonathon (debut catch) and Brett had his first 2 wickets.

 Next another firmly struck shot a low cover drive caught well by  Holdy at ankle height. The pressure was mounting on Cheshunt and with the cover fielders sitting a little deep Cheshunt tried a quick single to Holdy , an easy pick up and a throw to Brett was calmly(!!!!!) taken and they were stranded. Great use of the body Brett, Deano would have been proud.

[94-5] Brett was bowling very economically as well as taking wickets, he was beginning to think the batsmen were going to go for him and suggested a bowling change might be appropriate , however next ball wicket, a low dive well held in the covers by Holdy [99-7], next ball wicket bowled[99-8], Brett on his hat trick ball narrowly missed the outside  edge. Great over Brett, perhaps the bowling change can wait.

At the other end Amit  was even more economical although  he was not happy, he had never bowled so many overs without  taking a wicket, that soon changed when a high top edge carried  to a screaming Holdy at mid-on[105-9]. Next over a poorly timed shot was pulled into the safe hands of Will at fine leg[107-10].
Dolphins enjoyed the tea with the thoughts  of a relatively straight forward run chase.

Dolphins started very cautiously seeing  off a number  of maiden overs before Chris was clean bowled!!![1-0].(This was not in the game plan!) Ant and Will steadied the ship with some sensible defensive strokes. Will played some delightful straight drives along the floor and in the’ v’ , but he struggled to beat the fielders. When he did beat the field, he scored the first 4 of the day up the hill. Meanwhile at the other end Ant was punishing anything full and outside off stump, crashing 4 cover drives for 4. It was beginning to look comfortable for Dolphins when Will became  a little impatient, to some accurate bowling and was bowled for 10 [2-37].

Amit joined Ant and slowly but surely began to nudge away at the Cheshunt total. Some well played leg side shots from Amit and delicate cut shots from Ant keeping the scoreboard ticking. We had reached 82, when a change of bowling brought on a slow looping spinner. Ant's  eyes  lit up as he was on 41 and he started  to think of the glory of his first Dolphins' 50 or was it the thought of having to buy a jug. He tried to take on the spinner, however he didn't get to the pitch of the ball and was caught.

Ant's  top score for Dolphins, well done, I'm sure the first of many[3-82].

Brett was looking forward to Ant's 50, as he had a special gift for him. Brett will have to save the gift!!!

Jonathan  made his way to the crease, Amit also fancied the slow flighted spinner giving the faintest of edges to their keeper [87-4]. Were the wheels about to come off?  No need to worry Jonathan  in true' last man sands’ style,  attacked  the bowling scoring freely until lofting a drive to mid-on[93-5].

With the two Tom's now at the crease, young Jubby tried to repeat his huge hit in nets on Thursday night, however he didn't quite get hold of it, fortunately  it didn't  carry, Jubby was off the mark.  In the next over he confidently pulled  a ball through  mid-wicket to score 3 runs, seeing Dolphins safely home.Well done Tom.

108-5

30 Points

Great result

Great team perfomance

Well done everyone .

The Presidents XI will not be looking forward  to playing us in this form!