10th May 2008

Away

vs Rickmansworth III

League

Dolphins travelled away for the first time this summer to Rickmansworth to be greeted by a charming pavilion looking out over the first XI pitch and, beyond that, the second square.  A gloriously warm afternoon, fairly humid and surrounded by fields.  Who would have thought that the London Underground station could be just on our doorstep?

We lost the toss and were asked to bat, playing on the artificial pitch that made up the second square at Ricky.  Nothing artificial about the Ricky attack though as we soon fell to 11 for 2, Greg Lunz out to a fantastic leg side catch by the keeper and Chris Rayner swatting a high ball straight to point.  So with only 11 overs gone Amit Mathur and Ant Rayner set about digging in and building a score.  Thanks to some very sensible defensive work from both batsman, and selective shot making from Amit, they posted a 3^rd wicket partnership of 52 before Ant was caught behind.  Tom Roche strode to the wicket, his perfectly laundered white trousers hiding what I knew to be a very fetching, brilliant blue, leg brace, there to protect his calf muscles.  Tom supported Amit through another valuable stand of 27 when, on 49 runs, Amit pulled but got a top edge, which the keeper gobbled up to deny him a half century and the rest of us a jug.  The Dolphins then slipped from 90-4 to 126-8 and things were looking very challenging.  Jason Brooks and Richard Gilbert met at the crease, both playing extremely well in what proved to be a match winning 9^th wicket stand of 42 in just 7 or 8 overs.  And it saved Zippy from having to get any red marks on the bat he bought 18 months ago.  (For sale, bat, as new, hardly used – Ed)

As we left the field for tea we could hear strong rumbles of thunder – with Sarah away this weekend my first thought was that I had forgotten to feed Will, but Candy assured me she had done it (food, they weren’t her rumbles).  One or two small spots of rain were felt but it didn’t materialise and after tea Dolphins took to the field, with a small platoon of supporters present to cheer us on (Thanks to Don, Dot, Candy, Archie, Macy and Will).  We also received a long distance message from the Great Wall whereupon Richy G immediately asked me to order a 37, 56 and chips, but I quickly explained that it was from Statto, who was on the real Great Wall with Liz and the boys.  Great to hear from you Statto!

Jason Brooks opened the bowling and, second ball, thundered down a shockingly wide delivery which the opener slashed at and top edged high over the slip cordon.  But wait!  Cunningly, skipper had placed Andy Gregory at slip who, startled, held on to the rocket some eight feet up.  Great catch Coco!  After 16 overs Jason and Ian had taken the score to 37-3 and we had a finely balanced match on our hands.  Enter Amit Mathur’s spin and Andy Gregory’s pace who, in the space of just 12 overs, turned the game for the Dolphins.  Our very own little and large show!  Amit was getting some sharp turn on the carpet strip and in his second over watched the batsman shoulder arms to a ball that bit and came back to take his middle and off.  46 for 4.  In his next over a slightly leg side ball was deliberately mis-fielded by Ant Rayner (really? – Ed) at square leg and the ball ran on towards Holdy deep on the leg boundary.  With the ball in Holdy’s hands the batsman decided to go for two and a casual but very accurate return to Amit at the bowlers end had the batsman out of his ground.  54 for 5.  Next over Coco fired one in and the ball was skied up towards square leg.  With his legs going 15 to the dozen Amit made ground to hold on and just keep upright.  56 for 6.  Andy Gregory reclaimed a good line to snick a ball to Deano who held on tight, Holdy held on to an arcing ball off Amit’s bowling and then Coco saw Richy G come sliding in on his knees (real Richy G trademark stuff) to take another catch in the covers.  93 for 9 and now just a matter of time before Dolphins wrapped it up.  But a determined rearguard action from Ricky’s keeper prolonged the action, enough to see Jason come back to try and claim his 300^th career wicket, and Richy G to show us the beauty of his banana’s.  (Bowling style – Ed)  Suffice to say the banana’s finished it off, Rich returning figures of 2 balls, 1 wicket, no runs.

Particular mention to Amit and Ant, Jason and Richy G for their batting, and to Holdy and Jason for a tight start with the ball, Coco and Amit for turning the game and to everyone in the field who all played their part.  A great team performance

Zippy