This month I'm singling out individual performances. Why? Well, the season has become something of a mixed bag for the senior teams to the extent where a flirtation with relegation for both Saturday sides is certainly not out of the question.

For the 1st X1 four defeats in five games does not bode well while the 2nds have fared little better with just two losing draws to show over those same five weeks. In the Pope Cup the Ones did manage to reach the final with an emphatic win over Witley. A total of 193 in just 16 eight ball overs is impressive and Witley were never in the hunt. That score was anchored by a hard hitting 72 from skipper Mark Wycherley, his first score of any significance in some time. It was just a shame that the same level of batting was not there in the final against Headley and the game was lost in a flurry of soft dismissals, dropped catches and loose bowling at crucial moments.

Mark followed up his knock in the next game at Lindford with 67 but the game was lost. More significant was the excellent win over Cranleigh St Andrews. Not only was this revenge for the Stevens Cup defeat in May but was an excellent close low scoring game. Elstead managed only 123 off the bat and Cranleigh appeared to be in control with just 20 runs needed and five wickets left. Up stepped David Tye to bowl the most superb spell taking a hat-tick and turning the game decisively in Elstead's favour. Mark capped the win taking the last wicket with the visitors just three runs behind.

The 2nd X1 have been lurching from one poor performance to another. Even a desperately dull draw against high flying Blackheath could do nothing to brighten the mood. It's been left to the fourteen year old Chris Terry to show everyone else how it's done. After a succession of fine scores for the Under 15s Chris more than justified his place in the senior sides with a beautifully crafted 101 not out against Kingsley. He also looked the most accomplished batsman in the Pope Cup against Headley , his 23 showing others how a controlled innings can pay dividends. He's also a superb spin bowler and fine wicketkeeper (makes you sick, doesn't it).

Mention of junior cricket reminds me to congratulate the club's Under 13s. They have had a superb first half to their season with four wins out of four in the league but, perhaps more importantly, they have achieved this by a concerted team effort. A number of players have scored runs, a number have taken wickets but every player has contributed either in the field, with the bat or with the ball. It's a fantastic example to the senior sides. Well done, lads!

Pride of place this month, though, goes not a member of the 1st X1, the 2nd X1 or junior sides but to a one-time regular second teamer, now an occasional player. Mike Egan turned out for his first Sunday match of the season against Stan's Warriors and scored a fine 31, pretty good for someone as rusty as he must have been. He was then invited to have a bowl. Now, Mike was never a regular bowler in his heyday but was always a useful, but occasional, change bowler if a big stand needed breaking. On this occasion he took his chance superbly achieving that Holy Grail of bowlers, a hat-tick. All 'bowlers' wickets, too - LBW, bowled, stumped. That's fantastic, Mike!