We're up and running once more and I have to wonder, a few games into the 2007 season, if we're about to undergo a period of transition. I suppose it's inevitable after a period of sustained success that there will be a slight downturn. Quite frankly, in any walk of life it's impossible to avoid a few peaks and troughs and, so far, 2007 is shaping up be more trough than peak for Elstead Cricket Club.

Not that that is necessarily a bad thing! The absence of some of the club's more seasoned players has opened the door to a number of our excellent youngsters. Most impressive amongst these has been 15 year old Josh Berry, last season's Under 18 Player of the Year. Drafted into the 1^st X1 he has rapidly established himself as a permanent member of the side. He has bowled with real venom and in one memorable week in early May he scored three fifties. A fine 63 in a losing cause against a powerful Rowledge team in the Village Cup was followed by another half century for the Under 15s' as they overcame Grayshott. Then, in a spirited draw for the Ones against Chiddingfold, his 53 not out, in company with a quickfire 32 for David Wright, almost achieved a remarkable victory.

Unfortunately that was something of a high point for the 1st X1 under new skipper, Mark Wycherley, as three defeats in the first four games saw the club languishing at the bottom of I'Anson Division One. Meanwhile the Twos are consolidating their position in Division Three. Promoted at the end of last season Richard Jones' men started with a couple of ten-point wins, Jonah helping himself to two fifties in the process.  Wickets for Chris Andrews and Mike Butler have been a great help but two defeats have dampened expectations a little, one of those at Tilford coming despite a fabulous 82 from Ian Gould.

What gives us all cause for optimism, though, is the form of the junior teams in the early stages of the season. As well as the Under 15s' victory over Grayshott the Under 13s have beaten a powerful Grayswood in the Ken Barrington Cup and have seen off Grayshott in the Two Counties League. The Under 11s' have joined in too with victory over Witley. Unbeaten so far!

Several of these youngsters are already playing in the senior teams, along with Josh, a fact that simply adds to the numbers of senior players, from the 1^st team captain down, who have come through the junior ranks. The work done by the junior managers and coaches is vital to the future of the club - as a former junior manager I know just how much work is involved - and, as these youngsters bed into the senior ranks, we can surely look forward to more success in the years to come.