Once again, Chris and Carole are running the net run rate competition for the Rob Foot game against the MoD - will the winning number be positive this year?

Mandarins may be interested to know that an original member, John Chapman, is standing as an independent on May 6th in the consituency of Holborn and St Pancras.

As usual, there are a number of net sessions available for those who feel themselves in need of a little preparation for the rigours of the new season. The pattern is essentially the same as last year with nets available at The Oval and Lords. Graeme Tunbridge is again coordinating the nets and full details of dates and times can be found on the Nets page.

Clearly the Dorset sun is capable of exerting strong influences on the minds of Mandarins. One may speculate as to the nature of this effect but, such was the success of the Dorset Tour, an allegedly anonymous Mandarin was moved to poetry. I leave you to judge whether you consider the "Dorset Effect" to be an inspiration to lofty genius or closer to a nasty bout of sunstroke...

As the new season approaches, you may be wondering whether or not last year's clothes will still fit or whether they are in a suitable condition to grace the field when the Mandarins are playing. If so, you might like to know that Carole Baker has some new cricket shirts and jumpers for sale at very reasonable prices.