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It's been a great weekend for Woodmansterne first X1, who won both their league fixture and then their cup match.

The firsts took on Caterham in the cup match on Monday 3rd June. They were anxious for revenge after losing their game against the same opposition 2 weeks ago. Caterham scored 186 in their 45 overs, and Woods knocked of the runs comfortably, losing only 3 wickets in the process.

Good partnerships between Ian Miller and Ryan Polley, and then Chris Vagg and Jason Hiscox saw them home. The way young Miller and Polley played showed great promise for the future, and Vagg with another 50 must be an unwelcome sight for the Caterham bowlers.

On a blazing hot day at Woodmansterne's home ground, the Park, Woods secured their second league victory of the season against a Kenley side which Woodmansterne had already defeated in a cup game earlier in the season. Woodmansterne skipper George Miller won the toss and elected to field first on a damp pitch offering assistance to all kinds of bowlers (even Jim Selby).

The opening pairing for Woodmansterne, two of the clubs leading cultural architects, Jim 'the bullet' Selby and Chris Vagg began well, but it took several overs for a wicket to be taken. Vagg having the Kenley skipper taken one handed, inches from the ground at slip by George Miller. Selby took slightly longer to make his first breakthrough; he was well into his eighth over before he induced a clearly bored Kenley opener into making a mistake.

Following from the good start given by Selby and Vagg, the still hard ball was given to young speed merchant Glenn Thompson and medium pace swing bowler Rob Hicks. Both managed to maintain the pressure and take wickets with the notorious 'Bessant bouncer', balls of searing pace and menacing length, which don't actually bounce. Hicks bowled his longest spell of the season and ended up taking his first five wicket haul for the first team and, perhaps even more usefully, denying Selby a second spell. The end came when Hicks induced Kenley's last man to hit a full toss straight back to him.

Young buck Ian Miller became Neil 'Tiger' Park's fourth opening partner in five games. They began brightly with Park effortlessly timing several boundaries; Miller too looked in good form but was controversially given out bowled. Chris Lark came in at one down, but departed quickly when he missed an attempted drive. Run machine Chris Vagg came it at four and played one superb extra cover drive before succumbing to yet another 'Bessant bouncer'. Fresh from his long successful spell of bowling came Rob Hicks, after announcing himself with a nice push for two through the off-side he made an error of judgement and left a straight one.

Through all of this the Tiger remained calm, he kept believing that this game was destined to be a Woodmansterne win, and after considerable graft this belief became reality. Consistent bowling by Kenley on a middle and leg line, and Park's mastery of the leg side, led several to compare his batting to that of the great Ranjitsinhji, as he worked the ball between mid-on and square leg for ones and twos (apologies to anyone from the Kenley side reading this rubbish! - Ed).

It looked at this stage that Woods might win the game by six wickets, but then Peter Aldous gave an easy catch to mid-wicket. Selby was given the honour of hitting the runs and fending off the occasional beamer. Park ended the innings a magnificent 53 not out (which no doubt the people of Woodmansterne are still talking about - Ed).

NP

BB

Here's Bob Conquests's report on the Third X1 game against Mitcham (heavily edited for language!)

Having won the toss and elected to bowl Woods 3rd XI put in a good fielding performance. There were 3 wickets for Ritchie Bennet , 2 for Donald (?) and 5 for Ted Giles. Phil Rowe held 3 catches and Ben (?) 2 in Mitcham's total of 126. When Woods came to bat the peace of a hitherto pleasant summers afternoon was broken as the Street reverberated to Mitcham's constant verbal assault, which will probably bring complaints from the neighbours.

Only Bob Conquest with 28 and Ritchie Bennet (29) bothered the opposition and Woods last 3 wickets fell in the course of a hat trick with the score on 99.

Two salient lessons should be learnt from this debacle. Fielders should stay where the skipper puts them and players should remember that there is only ONE captain who should be supported on and off the field.

Following on from the fascinating insight into the psychological makeup of the England football team shown on the TV during the week, revealing comparisons can be made with the Woodmansterne Cricket Club 1stX1. Undoubtedly Dave Pryor is the cultural architect of the side, and to extend the building-site analogy further, captain George Miller is the clerk of works, Neil 'Tiger' Park is the foreman, and James Selby is the man with the key to the chemical toilet. Be that as it may Woodmansterne had a closely fought game against Caterham, which they narrowly lost by 3 wickets.

Woods skipper George Miller lost the toss and surprise surprise they were asked to bat. This was good news for school teacher Dave Pryor who was able to spend an hour and a half marking 4B's technology homework, emerging at occasional intervals in his chalk-encrusted gown and mortar to ask what the score was. It was also an opportunity for James Selby to learn how to score after 20 years of playing the game. All one can say is get well soon, Irene.

Neil 'Tiger' Park and Bill Bessant opened the innings and had a slow start against the accurate Caterham attack. Bessant went first after a scintillating 18 ball duck, a pretty good score on that wicket I can tell you. Park resisted well for 11, before being held by ex-Surrey CCC player Bullen in the slips. Miller dug in for a while to accompany Vagg, who got off the mark in his usual fashion with a straight six.

Vagg was the only batsman in the side to really master the conditions and played a brilliant knock of 66 which was the mainstay of the Woods innings. He had partnerships of 36 with James Bull (10) and 35 with Dave Pryor (9 not out) which gave Woods some kind of total defend. James Selby played some good attacking shots to bring Woods a batting point, before they were all out for 123. A bit more support from the top order for Vagg (ok, ok and for Pryor) would have changed the complexion of the game.

After an excellent tea (7.5 on the internationally recognised Hiscox scale) Woods took the field with enthusiasm. They were unusually vocal, cultural architect Pryor confusing the batsmen with his offbeat post-ironic humour.

Selby (2 for 26) and super-hero Vagg (3 for 44 in 17 overs) opened the bowling, and Selby struck first to remove danger-man Bullen, well taken by Vagg (who else?) in the slips. Selby returned the favour by holding a skier off Vagg at mid-on and both continued to bowl well, putting the batsmen under pressure. Unfortunately Congdon was dropped when on 3, and went on to make an important 45. Glen Thompson (who only conceded 6 runs in 5 overs), Robert Hicks (1 for 19) and Peter Aldous (1 for 21) made up for their disappointments with the bat by bowling disciplined spells.

The game was finely balanced at 81 for 5, but crucial runs came from skipper Johnson (19), who in partnership with Congdon saw Caterham home.

So, after the game it was back to the clubhouse, for the thrills and spills of the Eurovision song competition on the telly. Most of the entrants, especially those from former Soviet territories, looked like Ryan Giggs in drag, but I guess that's just the price we pay for democracy.

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Woodmansterne got to their winning draw total in the last over with Tony Phillips making 26 and Steve Edwards 19 not out. In the Pyford innings Neil Saunders picked up 5 for 43 in an impressive 19 over spell.

Woods were 14 for 5 at one stage, but Tom Stoker (20), Richie Bennet (who blasted 54 off only 44 balls) and Pete Bull (33 not out) retrieved the situation. Unfortunately it wasn't enough and Worcester Park got home by 7 wickets.

'First league victory since September 2000'.

The side travelled to Merstham, a short but deceptively tricky journey from Woodmansterne for the navigationally challenged members of the team. To avoid mishaps in future, perhaps club chairman Dave Harris should provide walkie-talkies for all team members.

Skipper George Miller won the all-important toss and had no hesitation in putting the home side into bat on a dampish wicket in overcast conditions.

James Selby and Nick Hearle opened the bowling and Selby struck the early blows in a lively spell. A great leg side catch by Dave 'leaping salmon' Pryor and one by short leg specialist Neil Park accounted for the openers, and the number 3 had his middle stump removed by a Selby special.

Loader (14) and top scorer Young (46) played some positive cricket and put on 46 for the fourth wicket to retrieve the situation a little for the home side. Skipper Miller was not content to let things drift however, and tried left arm seamer Peter Aldous before settling on Robert Hicks (3 for 22) and James Bull (2 for 24). These two bowled well in combination, generally keeping a good line and length to put pressure on the batsmen.

Hicks made the breakthrough, bowling Loader, and then 4 wickets fell with the score in the nineties. Chris Vagg claimed a wicket when an alert Peter Aldous picked up a catch after Bill Bessant had parried the ball to him. At 97 for 8 Woods were looking to wrap up the innings for under a 100 but some good cricket by Humphreys (24 not out) meant the last two wickets added 34. Selby (4 for 38) and Hicks were brought back finally to finish off the innings.

Woods needed a good start but unfortunately it was not to be. James Yerbury lofted the ball to cover after a few lusty blows, and Neil Park offered a return catch to the bowler. Things were steadied by Bill Bessant (20) and Chris Vagg (43), who was on top form, playing a number of thumping drives and cuts.

When Vagg was out mis-timing for once, all rounders James Bull (18 not out) and Robert Hicks (28 not out) added 47 in a match winning partnership. They both played sensibly, Hicks once again impressing with his maturity and excellent running between the wickets. This comfortable victory for Woods not only provided a boost for bar takings, but should give them confidence for the coming season.

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Woods faced some very steady bowling from the visitors and worked hard for their runs, honours going once again to Ray Turner (53) and Dave Brazier (43). Youngsters Ryan Polley (27) and Andy Graves (22) also played well and the declaration came after 63 overs. In reply Carshalton and Croygas earned the winning draw, with Conrad Smith and Delroy Gordon both returning figures of 2 for 17

Tom Stoker (35) and Paul Benson (22) put on 64 for the first wicket, thereafter Woods had little to offer, Old Wimbledonians knocking off the runs for the loss of 4 wickets.

This was another heavy defeat for Woodmansterne, somewhat overshadowed by Andy Conway being taken ill at the crease with heart problems. Andy will be undergoing surgery and we wish him a speedy recovery. Don't forget you owe your match fee Andy!

Woodmansterne lost the toss and were put in on another dampish track. The Vandals bowlers bowled steadily and Woods lost their way with some poor shot selection. The exceptions were James Bull who top scored with 37 and Robert Hicks who made 19. The pick of the bowlers were Powell with 4 for 25 and Foreman 3 for 10. Olinda Vandals had little problem in knocking off the runs with Roche contributing 40 not out and Randall 48.

BB

'Long journey to no avail as Woods denied in last over'.

Woods journeyed to newly promoted Frimley in search of their 1st Fullers league win of the year, but unfortunately it was not to be.

One again captain Dave Butler called correctly (what a change from last season!) and inserted the opposition on a dry and true surface. His bowling plan was soon thwarted however when paceman Conrad Smith pulled up at the beginning of his 2nd over and was replaced by Ian 'Jurassic' Park. At the other end Delroy Gordon was unlucky not to take a wicket with his 1st ball, and continued to bowl a probing line in his opening spell.

Opener Dean found scoring difficult and eventually chopped on to Gordon with the score at 30. The new batsman rode his luck, offering up chances to Clisby (point) and Hiscox (c+b) before finally being run-out by a combination of Butler's 'Exocet' throw from long-off to the keepers end and some smart glove-work by Andy Graves.

This brought in Cantwell, who looked totally at ease with the conditions and the bowling in compiling his stylish 65. In combination with Richard Hatch (87) and latterly Gilkes (29) he stroked the ball around to reach the declaration total of 228-7 off 48 overs. Gordon and Park were the most successful of the persevering Woods bowlers with three wickets apiece, but young keeper Graves also impressed in the field with three catches in addition to the run out.

In reply Ray Turner and David Clisby opened steadily against the Frimley bowlers Dunford and Gilkes.. Clisby looked in fine form before being trapped in front for 31 to bring in an out of sorts Gordon, who hung around for a long time in making his 23. Once Turner had departed for 25 the middle order of Polley (1), Graves (9) and Smith (0) departed without substantial increase to the score to bring in David Brazier.

Brazier once again looked in excellent form in compiling his 38no. However, no-one appeared able to stay with him once Gordon departed and after Hiscox was caught at the wicket Anderson was yorked next ball leaving Park with Brazier to face the last six overs. In the end Gilkes (6-50) capped a fine personal performance by beating Park's stout resistance with the 1st ball of the final over to close the innings on 159 and give (or is it gift?) Frimley the full twenty points.

Overall this was a disappointing batting performance on such a blameless surface, and skipper Butler will also be looking for a more consistent line and length from his bowlers. No doubt he will be keen to revive his team's fortunes in their 1st home fixture next weekend.

JH

The start to the new Castle Lager League season for Woodmansterne 3rd XI, under the captaincy of Paul Benson, did not get away in the most auspicious fashion.

The problems actually started in the car park of Woodmansterne Sports Club. After Bob Conquest disappeared to meet George and Donald who had made their way to Banstead station and were walking to the ground, the 3rd XI completed their quota of players with the arrival of Ritchie with Delroy Gordon driving. Ritchie had only come along with his friend Conrad Smith and had no expectations of playing, but the 3rd XI, welcoming all, quickly 'picked' him.

The next phase of the operation was the 'bring and buy car boot sale' which ensured that all players including the recently selected Ritchie had kit. Bob Conquest again zoomed off in order to collect spare shirts and trousers. Indeed Bob's kit tally for the day stood at something like 3 shirts and 2 pairs of trousers. The car boot sale completed, Woods were finally ready for the off.

The game itself, played not at Egham's home ground but on a council pitch in Chertsey, was a rather one-sided affair. Needless to say for club stalwarts of more than a few of years standing this one sided contest did not go in Woodmansterne's favour.

The Woods skipper won the toss !!! It looked like the change in captaincy may have got rid of the 'Nasser Hussian' style luck that Woods normally have. Egham batted first and Ken Wright and Donald opened the bowling for Woods. Egham got off to a brisk start, with 40 on the board after only 7 or 8 overs. Donald bowled at a good pace and although the line was a little lacking, he showed some promise. Ted Giles replaced Donald and then bowled the rest of the overs from the Pavilion end. Ken Wright made the initial break through, but the turning point of the game came when Wright dropped the remaining opener off his own bowling. After this reprieve he went on to smash 130 and move the Egham total to 219 for 7 off almost 55 overs. Ritchie also made a telling contribution with the ball, bowling 13 overs 2 for 40. Maybe Woods should use the car park selection method more often!!

The reply from Woods did not get off to the start they were hoping for. Bob Conquest, after hooking the opening bowler for 4, was then dismissed the following ball. The real problems for Woods came from the left arm-opening bowler Spencer. Coming out of a dark background the ball was almost impossible to pick up and he finished with figures of 7 for 30. Paul Benson and Malcolm Wood tried to rebuild the innings after the loss in quick succession of Conquest and Polley. However, little did they know that the bowler would not tire and so the plan of seeing him off fell by the way side. Wood took the bowling of Spencer for about 8 overs and when he was out, Ritchie majestically drove Spencer for 4 before being given out LBW. After the demise of Benson the end was fairly swift in coming. Only a flurry from Donald delayed the end of the game and Woods were finally bowled out for just 72.

MW

'Woods claim 1st win of season (after nervy finish!)'

Woodmansterne were looking forward to exorcising the demons of the previous Saturday's performance in this Fullers League Cup 1st round meeting against Kenley, who won the toss and decided (inexplicably, given the pitch conditions) to bat first in the 45 over game.

Woodmansterne's opening bowling pair of Smith and Anderson bowled tightly, limiting the scoring opportunities. Anderson made the first breakthrough fortuitously when the Kenley opener launched a juicy long-hop into the safe hands of Bull at mid-wicket.

Hicks replaced Anderson and after a shaky initial over settled down into an impeccable line and length. He got his reward when the other opener skied a catch to Hiscox at mid-on. At the other end Bull replaced Smith and obtained alarming bounce (if not turn) out of the wet wicket. Having been denied a wicket after a concerted appeal he got double reward when the #4 chipped the ball to cover and the new batsman hit a full toss to Hicks at mid-off off his next delivery to set up a hat-trick chance. Whilst he failed in that attempt he slipped a yorker under his radar shortly after to claim Kenley's 5th wicket and his 3rd.

Hicks was briefly replaced at the other end by Hiscox before the introduction of left arm paceman Aldous. Aldous bowled his best spell for a couple of years, having the #7 caught smartly by Polly, inducing Searle to give a short leg catch to Hiscox and finally removing the obdurate #3 caught at cover in his spell.

At this point Woods were well on top but some determined batting in the late overs by Kenley and some tired bowling meant that at the end of the innings Woods would need to chase 138 off their 45.

Openers Park and Gordon started slowly against the Kenley bowlers, taking few chances and waiting for the poor ball in building their opening wicket stand. Park in particular was in fine form, driving well and whipping the ball Tendulkar style through the on side from anywhere on the stumps.(How much did you pay Jason, Neil?)

The introduction of a spinner frustrated Gordon, who soon succumbed to an almighty swish and a smart stumping for 18 with the score on 60. A couple of left handers then came and went in quick succession before young Ian Miller arrived to add ballast to the innings. However, he was out on 23 with the score at 108 to bring Hiscox in, who introduced himself to Kenley with a drive over mid-on for four.

Park was out at mid-wicket soon after for a well made 57 to bring all-rounder Hicks to the wicket with twenty runs still required. Both batsman were struggling to score at the required rate, with Hiscox targeted for some short pitched 'treatment' from Kenley. With overs running out Hicks perished trying to increase the rate by lifting another catch to mid-wicket.

With six balls left Woods required five more runs, but two well-aimed blows by Hiscox left Conrad Smith on strike. He proceeded to launch the third ball high over mid-on for the required two to win an exciting game by four wickets and set up a 2nd round tie against Caterham.

This performance gives some encouragement for the 2002 season, with several young players performing well and the fielding of other players backing up some accurate bowling.

JH

Due to much public interest in a report for this match (exclusively from the Effingham lads) I will try to cobble together the usual collection of biased half-truths, while we wait for Neil to write a 'proper' report on the match. Effingham won the toss and had little doubt about putting Woods in on a track which would have benefited from covers (See match report 16/6/01)) had they not been vandalised. The 'Effingham Express' Moazzam Ali proved too much of a handful for the Woods batsmen and they succumbed in disappointing style, though young Robert Hicks offered promise for the future by top-scoring with a knock of 21. Wickets were shared mainly by Ali (4 for 25) and Couzins (4 for 12). Woods did their best in reply with Hearle, Bull and Hicks each picking up a wicket, though the 'Woodmansterne Whirlwind' James Selby missed out for once. So, twenty points to the winners and twenty pints to the losers (essential for good piecep development).

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Woods skipper Dave Butler won the toss and inserted the opposition on another good Ripley wicket. Woods got off to a flying start with Bill Bessant removing the first Ripley opener to a smart slip catch by an alert Delroy Gordon. Bessant followed this with two more wickets, one of these courtesy of a brilliant one handed catch by Conrad Smith off a full blooded drive. At this point Ripley found themselves at 12 for 3.

The loss of these early wickets didn't stop the batsmen going for their shots however, and by the time openers Bessant (4 for 52) and Smith (who bowled better than his 1 for 65 suggests) were taken off, change bowlers Gordon and Phillips found Shajid (56) and Hussain (78) well established. These two put on 129 and dealt very severely with the pitched up delivery especially, and benefited from a number of dropped catches.

The introduction of Ian Park (2 for 36) into the attack brought the breakthrough. He removed both the fourth wicket pair in his first over, to well judged catches by Dave Brazier and Jason Hiscox. When the Ripley score stood at 172 for 7 Woods thought they were back in the game, but another fast scoring partnership by Anwar (57) and Iqbal (34 not out) bought Ripley rapidly up to their declaration total.

This report would be incomplete without mentioning Ripley's excellent teas, which featured a delicious coffee cake. Let's hope Ripley go with them when Woods get promoted at the end of the season.

It was essential that Woods should have a solid opening partnership and this was provided by Delroy Gordon and Ray Turner. They negotiated a lively opening attack, and then began to up the tempo against the change bowlers, putting on 65 for the first wicket. Gordon was out for 25 and then Bessant (18) and Turner put on 41 for the second wicket. Phillips went cheaply, but Dave Brazier then played well for his 25 not out.

Turner meanwhile produced some stirring strokes, none better than a pick-up for 6 off the returning opening bowler which broke a roof tile on Ripley's picturesque pavilion. When he departed for 78, debutant Conrad Smith blasted a quickfire 18 to bring Woods maximum batting points. Although Woods were never quite up with the required runrate to win the game, it was an encouraging opening to the season.

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'Judae' prove decisive in pre-season game'

Woodmansterne were hoping for a good workout before their Fuller's League season commences next week. However, in the end the opposition was the winner, aided and abetted by some inconsistent performances by the Woods players.

Woodmansterne batted first and were soon in difficulties, with opener Tom Stoker back in the clubhouse after three balls with no score on the board. Ray Turner and Tony Phillips then set about repairing the innings, but made the most of their luck - by the time Phillips was out with the score at 30 he was '16 for 4' (having been dropped three times already). Turner followed shortly after to let in Bob Conquest and last year's skipper Malcolm Wood.

Conquest hit one good four before being bowled to let in keeper Peter Bull whilst at the other end Wood was making the most of his luck on a trying surface with a gloved boundary that nearly cleared the ropes at third man! However, once he was out for eight the two young pace bowlers (Glen Thompson and Robert Anderson) departed in identical fashion to leave Woods in dire danger at 64-7.

Peter Bull and the new batsman Jason Hiscox then proceeded to repair the innings with some sensible stroke play and good running against the second string Temple Sheen bowlers, putting on 73 for the 8th wicket. Bill Bessant (playing as a 'judas' for the opposition) eventually replaced the 'experimental' leg spinner and came in for some severe 'treatment' from Peter Bull who smashed his first two balls for 4, and with two wide deliveries defeating the 68 year old wicketkeeper and the 9 year old on the fine leg boundary, his first over went for 16.. Once the bowling kinks were worked out he soon gained his revenge by getting both Hiscox and Bull caught at cover in successive overs for 31 and 28 respectively to close the Woodmansterne innings on 141.

Temple Sheen started their reply with the dangerous Coggins and the other 'judas' Delroy Gordon opening the batting. Anderson and Hiscox bowled steadily in the opening overs with Anderson getting the prize scalp of Coggins caught at the wicket. At the other end Gordon survived a difficult chance to Thompson at deep wide mid off and a run-out chance against David Butler at deep mid-off.

Thompson replaced Anderson at the end of his spell and used his height and pace to good effect to bowl an awkward line to Gordon and number 3 Hathway. In the end he got his just reward to remove Hathway, caught by Anderson at mid-off with the score 50-2. This brought the useful Cook to the crease, and he and Gordon played sensibly and without giving chances pushed the score along against 'spin twins' Phillips (who'd replaced Hiscox) and the evergreen Ray Turner, who gave his unusual little twiddlers an airing to good effect against Gordon in particular (his bowling wasn't bad either).

Hiscox finally removed Gordon for 64 with a catch at midwicket off Phillips' quicker ball, leaving Bessant to come in and hit the winning runs to secure a 6-wicket victory.

Woods will have taken some heart in this game from the performances of Gordon, Bull and Hiscox, but will need to perform in a more consistent manner if last season's League disappointment is not to be repeated.

JH