As the season draws to a close we must reflect on a really topsy-turvy final few weeks. Up and down it may have been but THE GOOD NEWS is that BOTH SIDES SURVIVED in their respective I'Anson League divisions.

The Ones followed up their fine winning draw against Puttenham by easily defeating relegation threatened local rivals, Thursley. Elstead's score of 200 proved far too much for the home side who were skittled out for 83, youngsters Josh Berry and Chris Terry taking six wickets between them for a miserly 15 runs. Next up was Cody, another relegation rival, and a win would surely save Elstead's status for another year. Instead a dismal defeat followed and Elstead's habit of self destructing, especially in the batting department, was much in evidence once again.

Tilford were next up and a disciplined bowling and fielding performance restricted the visitors to just 160. A solid reply, masterminded by a fine 86 from Gary Sewell, saw the home side notch up eight points with comparative ease. Why can't they do that every week?

A trip to Harting's picturesque ground ended with a five point winning draw, though hearts were in mouths as the home side failed to get the winning draw by just one run. Elstead were saved by, perhaps, the best over of the season from Josh Berry as he conceded just one run and took two wickets off the last six balls. Phew! This meant that defeat to Chiddingfold, also close to the relegation dogfight, didn't matter. Phew, again!

The 2nd X1 were, meanwhile, finding life tougher. A double header against the two runaway leaders in Division Three, Blackheath and Wrecclesham, resulted, as might have been anticipated, in two defeats, despite Paul Smith's excellent five wicket haul in the second of these games. Work to do then! A tremendous battle at Tilford followed, the home side rattling up 203 for 6 and Elstead coming within a whisker of the win by ending on 198 for 7. So near yet so far, but just two points!

The visit of Fernhurst had suddenly become something of a key game and captain, Olly Phillips, rose to the occasion in masterly fashion. He picked just the right time to score a season's best 78 not out as Elstead closed on 160. Another five wicket spell from Paul Smith this time earned Elstead ten points as Tilford were bowled out for 145. A final day defeat to Bramley didn't matter - the side had already done enough.

So it's Division One and Division Three once more for 2010! Now for the end-of-season awards, so more new soon!