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So, I hear you asking, is there more
good news this month on the cricketing front? Well, I was beginning to wonder, a couple of
weeks ago, what I would write about this time round. The 1st X1 were continuing their losing
streak with defeats by Headley and Tilford, both games the side could, nay should, have won.
The 2nds had dropped into a run of defeats, too. All that early season optimism was evaporating
fast for the new team at the helm of the Twos.
But then came a breakthrough! A straightforward win over Badhsot Lea in the Stevens Cup gave
the Ones some confidence and the batting woes of the first five games were banished as the
lads scored a massive 278 against Cody. Pick of the run scorers was our occasional returnee,
Chris Mude. In fine form from early season games for Southampton University he flayed the
Cody attack all round the park to score a fabulous century. He was ably supported by Josh
Berry who dug in to rack up 71. The bowlers did the rest, eventually winkling out the Cody
tail to win by 130 runs. Pick of the bowlers was Josh with 5-23 from 12 overs.
Buoyed up the team then beat Bourne to reach the semi-finals of the Stevens Cup and went on
to overcome Grayswood in a match littered with dodgy fielding. Elstead dropped 11 catches
and let through several misfields as Grayswood compiled a patient 216. The home side's efforts
in the field were no better, though, as Gary Sewell, new to the club this season after a spell
as captain of Farncombe, rattled up a classy unbeaten century to win the game in the penultimate
over.
A word, too, for the juniors. These youngsters are the future lifeblood of the club - both
senior sides are stacked with lads who have come through the colts set-up - and it's great
to see the Under 11s improving game by game. Many of these lads are playing hard ball matches
for the first time and bit by bit, not withstanding a masterclass handed out by Guildford
in a heavy defeat, they've clawed their way to their first victory. The team have improved
their run scoring, have sharpened up their fielding and have tightened up the bowling to cut
out the free runs handed out by wides and no-balls. The result was a handsome win over Bourne
by 41 runs.
Finally, a special mention for Samuel Holland! Playing his first match for the Under 11s in
a desperately close loss to Chobham he came in to bat and stuck around long enough for the
score to rise buy a crucial nine runs. Laudable, but not special? Samuel's only six! That's
special! Well done, Samuel!
Gordon Wycherley
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