I said last month, in reference to the 2^nd X1, that "promotion is there to be grasped if there are no more slip-ups". Well, there weren't! Jonah's boys did the club proud by finishing second in Division 4 and gaining promotion to Division 3, the first time this has happened in my 15 years involvement with the club.

The side finished with three straight wins and, despite a spirited challenge from Bramley, this was enough to gain second spot, one place better than 2005. In each of the last three games the opposition batted first, were bowled out cheaply and the runs were knocked off with relative ease. Along the way there were five wicket hauls for David Tye and Mike Butler and fifties from Simon Wade and Richard Jones.

It wasn't a four man show though. It's been a team effort all season and the youngsters and the not so young who have been the backbone of the side can be justifiably proud of their achievements this year. Congratulations, too, to Jonah for having instilled in the side a sense of purpose and belief that encouraged them to press on all year, especially after a dispiriting mid-season slump. Well done, guys!

The story is not so rosy for the Ones. Quite simply a dismal August, when the side went four games without a win, was enough to ensure that Elstead no longer figured in the championship race. Defeat in a rain shortened game on a frankly awful pitch at Headley was followed by a loss to local rivals Thursley. Despite Mark Wycherley's six wickets the visitors' Lee Hudson picked up eight and Elstead slumped to defeat again.

With the crown having slipped away (to Grayshott) thoughts turned to next season and a couple of late season wins, over Wood Street and Cranleigh St Andrews, were secured with the help of a host of the club's youngsters, Mark Wycherley and David Wright sharing the wickets. It's very reassuring, especially to this ex-Junior Manager, to see the club on such a firm footing courtesy of its youth section.

The work goes on and the next generation was much in evidence at the club's end-of-season Junior Day in early September. The squalls of the previous day relented long enough to allow the Under 11s to play the mums and the Under 15s/13s to play the dads. A great day was had by all and, who knows, perhaps some of the parents have discovered a previously unknown talent and love for the game.

In fact I'll say it now - Mums, we want you! A ladies team for 2007! Can you imagine it? What fun! Go on, girls, young and old, give Dave Cooper a call on 01428 605592.