Chipperfield Clarendon will defend the Watford Observer Shield this summer after confirming their participation in the Watford Observer Fourteen14.

The holders, who defeated Langleybury A in the final last summer, are one of five teams to have signed up to date but the usual late rush of entries is expected before Thursday’s deadline.

Bushey and West Herts, who both reached the quarter-finals in 2010, will once again join the Chipperdons in the hat, along with newcomers Punjabi Panthers. However, the organisers are particularly pleased to welcome Watford Grammar School for Boys to the competition field and hope their decision to take part may persuade other schools to enter.

For full entry details and an entry form, click here.

This form should be printed off, completed and returned to the stated address with a cheque to cover the entry fee, which remains unchanged at £40.

This is also the place where a list of key dates can be found, along with the rules. Teams intending to enter are asked to read these carefully, even though no major changes have been made for this year.

Only two of the teams who enter will have the opportunity to battle it out for the main prize, but glory is also on offer to the winners of the Plate, of which Watford Town A are the current holders. As in the previous eight years since its inception, eight teams will participate in this event, which will run alongside the latter stages of the Shield.