Harpenden Dolphins C.C.

Scorecard

Harpenden Dolphins C.C. v Bamville on Sat 23 Apr 2011 at 1pm
Harpenden Dolphins C.C. Won by 37 runs.

Match report Roly's Return Reaps Reward

What a glorious sunny day to start the season with weather more a kin to mid summer than April.

A huge thank you to Karen for cleaning out the pavillion kitchen and de-spidering the cupboard, and to Karen and Katie for the marathon washing up of all beakers cups and crockery.

It was an odd start to a cricket game.
Dolphins arrived early from the Oak Tree pre-match warm up.
Confusion over the start time had us wondering whether Bamville were going to turn up at all.
A most unusual phenomena was also observed which some put down to the midday sun, others described it as the 'Scalke & Roly' effect, the entire Dolphins team were seen to be taking part in what could only be described as a fielding drill!!!!

When Bamville arrived, we tossesd up and Dolphins won the toss and decided to bat so that the Rayner brothers could take advantage of the very dry wicket and short boundary down the hill, with the rest of the team relaxing in the shade. Oh what could have been!!

Just before the game started I realised that we needed a score book to record the game that I had duly left at home. How long have I been playing this game.? A quick dash home and I arrived just in time for the second over, however even before I was able to park Adam was giving me an update on Ant's early demise. Ant received a short ball that reared up and he looked pull changed his mind and couldn't get his gloves out of the way, a big appeal no reaction from the umpire and Ant walked knowing he had got the faintest of touches. Cricket can be a cruel game. There was some speculation that it was rather too warm in the middle and Ant didn't want to get sweaty in his newly purchased batting pads and gloves and so he seized the opportunity to walk!

Roly was joined at the crease by Chris who immediately looked to be enjoying it in the middle as he typically carressed the ball into gaps. One spectator was heard to say 'He's such a d..., he turns up to one net all winter and then comes out batting like that ...........' It's great to see we all enjoy the game being played well. However as soon as this was said, Chris nicked off to the keeper to a good delivery just outside off stump. When questioned Chris said it was too good a good ball there was nothing he could have done, accept it was probably a good one to leave.
Next up Duncan joined Roly and the two stood there ground against Bamvillle's opening pair, watching balls bouncing over their heads and the keeper for 4 byes or wides. The extras were top scorer when Bamville decided to change the bowling and bring on some slow bowlers. Duncan who had started very solidly, decided to use his feet, dancing down the wicket to smother the slow flighted balls using steps seen only on Strictly Come Dancing, however just as on Thursday in nets against Ben, if you commit to coming forward you must keep your eye on the ball or keep walking. Duncan was out stumped!!

Dolphins were starting to wobble 36-3 after 9.3 overs.

Bonney then joined Roly and the pair patiently watched the tempting slow bowling moving the score on to 67-3 after 21 overs. They then decided to push the run rate on choosing their moments well and punishing the bad balls. The next change of bowling provided an opportunity that Roly duly took, crashing 12 runs in one over. Shortly after Roly passed his fifty, well done on his return, having not played all last season. It must be noted that there was a feeble excuse for not going to clubhouse after and buying a jug. Next week Roly!

Roly was then involved in a ridiculous run-out coming back fo a suicidal second, he had obviously had enough out in the middle on the warmest of spring afternoons. 136-4. Next Phil joined Bonney having waited patiently for 23 overs and smoked probably as many cigarettes!! Bonney as is so often the case moved into the forties, however soon after was out given LBW to a ball he was sure pitched outside the line of leg stumped. The umpire saw it differently and Bonney returned to the pavillion for 42, score 137-5 after 33.2 overs. Holdy and Phil crashed a few boundary and pushed on the run rate with good decisive running between the wickets. We went to tea 181-5, Andy and Schalke were disappointed not to have go at the Bamville bowling.

The tea was as expected fantastic lovely fresh sandwiches and beautiful homemade cakes, my personal favorite was between the toffee sponge cake and the banana bread. I'll have to confess to taking two pieces of the banana bread. So my vote for cake of the week goes to the banana bread. A big thank you to the Gregory's and Rayner's for setting such a high standard for the tea. I now know, why I have to diet from new year to easter each year, Karen seems to think it is because of alcohol consumption, I am of the firm belief it is due to the homemade cake consumption.

Zippy and Holdy fitted the new scoreboard to the pavillion which was probably easier than using it. It was a source of great entertainment as individuals stepped up to attempt the challenge of updating the scoreboard. It was like watching contestants on The Cube - losing lives and taking two or three attempts to achieve the task.

It was great to see support from Ron,Teach and Deano and a good turn out of wives, children and family so early in the season.

Lee opened the bowling and four balls in, their opener edged a ball between 1st and 2nd slip Andy at 1st followed it behind him to his right, diving he got two hands to it, it popped out and he safely secured it second attempt. Bamville 0-1. It was then Andy's turn with the ball as he clean bowled their other opener for 3. The next two batsmen were prepared to swing the bat and ride their luck with shots landing in the spaces or Dolphins putting down difficult chances, Roly and Lee both did well to get hands to chances but struggled to hold on to what would have been wonder catches.
I was taking a bit of tap when their batsman top edged one straight up I was relieved to see Duncan under it with his gloves, however his final re adjustment of his feet worried me. Never a doubt as it was swallowed by his gloves. Their next bat knicked one into Duncan's gloves. Another edge was snapped up by Ant Rayner diving forwards and to his left just picking it up before hitting the ground between thumb and first finger, however it was judged as not carrying. Hard lines Ant great effort. Both Chris and Ant fielded well at point and gully saving numerous runs with their athletic efforts that some of the older players would only dream of!! One would parry the ball whilst the other would collect and return.

Regular changes of bowling seemed to work with Andy clean bowling another on his return. Roly then snapped up a tidy catch in the covers. Holdy held on to a good C&B aimed directly at his toes, amazing the rest of the field, with this exceptional show of flexibility by someone of advancing years.

Whilst the wickets kept falling the standard of fielding at times was what you could expect for early season. I led the way showing how not to do a long barrier with the balls bouncing away and conceding singles, some diving efforts only to see the ball race pass my fingers and then have to get up and give chase. Not easy at my age!! Holdy showed some fancy footwork on the boundary to concede a 4 and Bonney refusing a catch on boundary because it was hit too hard!!! Phil raced in from mid wicket pirouetted and got the ball tangled up underneath him by the time he hit the stumps with a direct hit the batsman was home by 5 yards!! He had followed the captain's example of coolness under pressure, I had earlier picked up the ball at mid wicket and only needed to lob it into Andy's hands, instead I launched it at his toes and the batsman survived. Lee's second spell proved too much for Bamville's lower order, the first edging to Bonney at 2nd slip who bagged the catch easily, the next bat got a leading edge from Lee which carried over Duncan and was collected cleanly by Holdy at fine leg.
Schalke finally hit stumps taking the final wicket to secure the win for Dolphins.

The pick of the bowling was Lee with figures of 3 for 12 off 8 overs. Well Bowled.

It was good to see all bowlers getting a wicket to start this season's haul. Good contributions from all players even though we were all a little rusty.

Scorebook was not copied up so is in a bit of a mess. We need you back Ollie - When do you get back?

Please remember I need your vote for player's player as soon as possible.

It was a great taster for all, let's hope the rest of the season continues in the same vein.

Fine weather and fine results.

Regards

Tom

Harpenden Dolphins C.C. 1st XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 5 wickets
0
181		        
Roland James Run out  57 1
Ant Rayner ct J Harle 0
Chris Rayner ct I Ahmed 7
Duncan Lewis st Moss 4 2
Paul Bonney lbw P Oliver 42 1
Phil Simpson Not Out  15
Ian Holden Not Out  21 2
Andy Gregory   1
Schalk Van Der Merwe  
Tom Roche  
Lee Lambert  

Bamville Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
J Harle8.0123123.002.88
I Ahmed8.0034134.004.25
D Oliver8.012600.003.25
P Moss8.0123123.002.88
A Kubair4.002400.006.00
V Sharma2.001600.008.00
P Oliver2.0012112.006.00

Bamville Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 10 wickets
0
144 (0.0 overs)		     
M Corteel ct Gregory, Lambert 0
B Norrish b Gregory 3
P Oliver ct Lewis, Roche 29
V Sharma ct Lewis, Roche 19
J Harle ct James, Roche 32
R Harle b Gregory 5
P Hughes ct Holden, Holden 19
A Kubair ct Bonney, Lambert 0
D Oliver b van de Merwe 8
P Moss Not Out  0
I Ahmed ct Holden, Lambert 2

Harpenden Dolphins C.C. 1st XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Lee Lambert8.031234.001.50
Andy Gregory8.0122211.002.75
Schalk Van Der Merwe6.0026126.004.33
Tom Roche7.022337.673.29
Ian Holden8.0144144.005.50