Here I was thinking there would not be much to report this month but, at the last, the teams did me proud.

The Ones seemed to have gone into their shell after the Stevens Cup win, a series of defeats and one abandoned game due to rain suggested another dreary fight against relegation. Then came the game against Puttenham, a strong side flying high in second place in I'Anson League Division One. Remembering how close our lads had run them on the first day of the season Elstead came out of the blocks determined to put in a batting performance which would give us a chance of a win (not something that has happened too often this year).

Chris Mude and Josh Berry set the scene with 57 and 66 respectively and Chris Terry and David Wright carried this on with 20 and 29. A total of 198 was a good score on Elstead's unseasonably green outfield and Puttenham were never up with the run chase. David Tye's 4 for 13 off 12 overs almost saw Elstead home but the visitors hung on, 9 wickets down, for a draw. Nevertheless, that's five points to Elstead from a game they would have been expected to lose.

Now the relegation fight is a tight four-way scrap with Elstead still to play all the other contenders. It's in our own hands.

The Twos, too, had had a fairly tame time of it, with three two-point draws in games they would have hoped to get a little more out of. That they were close to winning draws on a couple of occasions gave rise to confidence but ultimate disappointment. Then came a key game against Kingsley and the win that was so eagerly sought. Batting first Elstead made 123 with 42 from George Norcliffe the key innings. Fine bowling and fielding then saw off the home side for 99 with Paul Smith contributing five wickets.

The 2nds seem almost safe now, a fine testament to a young side ably led by Olly Phillips and Les Stevenson.

So the season enters the home straight and there's much to play for with some key games coming up for the 1sts in particular. Watch this space.