Woods' July nightmare came to a fitting conclusion when they were comprehensively beaten by Battersea Ironsides after a very lacklustre performance.

The journey to the ground this week was provided by 'Dave's Transport' (all four drivers being called Dave) as Andy Conway's Variety Club Sunshine Coach was unavailable. The game was able to get underway once Dave Clisby had provided an explanation for his controversial report last week which had led to phone calls from the Press, not to mention the League. Dave is rumoured to be the front runner to replace Alastair Campbell, as he can provide more spin than Shane Warne.

Asked to bat, Woods got off to a bad start when Bill Bessant had a 'senior moment' and was run out with only 4 runs on the board. Dave Brazier and Dave Clisby followed shortly after and the side found themselves in familiar territory at 11 for 3. Ryan Polley and Chris Vagg looked to be turning things around in the course of a stand of 21 for the fourth wicket, but then Polley was well taken at slip by Ahmed off Mills and Vagg went shortly after for 14.

After a brief appearance by Ian Miller debutant Michael Lockton played a couple of nice shots before being bowled by Mouncer, but some resistance came at last from Jim Selby who looked more comfortable than any other Woods batsman in his innings of 30 not out. Unfortunately Dave Pryor clearly found the prospect of watching Selby score lots of runs too much and decided to give his wicket away as quickly as possible.

Peter Aldous did play a terrific drive, but as this only succeeded in propelling his helmet 25 yards over the outfield it added nothing to the actual score. Skipper Tom Wortley, who was suffering from a cold, went in at number 11 and wisely let himself get bowled before Selby could heap any more humiliation on the earlier batsmen

Wortley opened the attack with Selby and Aldous, but openers Webster (25 not out) and Mills (32) played well to compile an opening stand of 47, which was finally broken when Wortley held a catch at mid off from a fierce drive by Mills off Selby.

Ahmed at number 3 obviously had an eye on the weather and looked to attack the bowling before the promised rain arrived. Battersea reached their winning total off just 15 overs, and when the heavy rain duly arrived shortly afterwards Woods were reminded that a little more application with their batting would have saved the side (and saved them from a Jim Selby batting master class in the bar afterwards). The only immaculate performances from Woodmansterne came as usual from umpire Dave Harris and scorer Irene.

The Second X1 scored 179 for 7 (Mickey Joyce 72, and Graeme Smith look-alike Ross Jacobs 51) against Old Rutlishians before the rain arrived. The Third X1 had a great result, also against Old Ruts, when they dismissed them for only 45 (Wells 4 for 13, Anderson 3 for 16) and knocked off the runs for the loss of 2 wickets.

Match report on the 3rd X1 fixture of 26/07/03

Match report on the Sunday 2nd X1 fixture of 27/07/03

Woods certainly know how to make a game go to the wire. In a tight finish Staines and Laleham finally showed why they are at the top of the table by beating a spirited Woods side with one ball to spare.

The day had started in the usual way Woods loosing the toss, asked to bat and loosing early wickets. Luckily the opposition were on hand to provide much needed advice on technique. Of the top order only Conway and Wortley managed double figures. A fast scoring innings from Brazier saw Woods off to a quicker than usual start. The Hard hitting Polley showed lots of potential in an innings of 39 supported by Henna Hicks before Selby showed he has learnt how to unlock the oppositions attack in a swashbuckling innings of 41 putting on a 50 partnership with Bessant (17) for the 9th wicket. Woods posted a total of 166, which looked quite respectable. On the bowling front Hall and Critton 4-47 and 3-36 were most successful.

The Tea between the two innings scored a record 9.75 on the international Hiscox scale. The 5 million pound Vagg who is going through a black July with bat, ball and fielding (the main parts of the game!) looked a class act with the Chicken legs.

Immediately after the interval Woods made inroads into the batting with the dangerous Critton removed without scoring. Aldus and Selby bowled well in tandem with the new ball before keeper Pryor reminded the opposition that they were supposed to be much better than us. Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals as Staines chased a much-needed win. Wortley and Hicks were introduced to the attack and figures of 3-32 and 1-25 do not do justice to the control and quality of their bowling. Bessant was called into action for the last over with two runs required and on the 5th ball Nicholas (67 not out) scored the winning runs. Bessant has now been sent to Durham to reflect on his performance.

On a sad note with a day of strikes reaping havoc over Heathrow the Woods Umpire himself withdrew from the game. This is partly due to the introduction of the unwelcome third umpire (seen in recent weeks), which gives helpful advice on LBW, caught behind and close line calls. The other part I understand was Heathrow air traffic control banning his two-way radio with the long-suffering scorer Irene. Many thanks to Conway Chauffeur hire for their continued support of the club.

Match report on the 3rd X1 fixture of 19/07/03

Match report on the Sunday 2nd X1 fixture of 20/07/03

Woodmansterne skipper Tom Wortley was left wondering how his side managed to get bowled out for 114 on a perfect batting strip, and consequently lose their game against Chobham by 120 runs. League leaders Chobham were the better side but Woods should have been able to hang on for a draw at least.

Chobham batted first and none of the Woodmansterne seamers could make much of an impression on openers Goldsmith (55) and Watmore (50). The Woods bowlers and fielders stuck to their task fairly well and at 114 the first wicket at last fell when Wortley had Goldsmith caught in the gulley by Andy Conway. This brought in overseas star Rowe who was soon into his stride, hitting the ball firmly all round the wicket. Wortley struck again when he had Watmore caught by Selby with the score on 169 and Cox followed shortly afterwards, stumped by Pryor off a deserving Robert Hicks. Rowe continued to attack the bowling and was finally caught and bowled by the persevering Jim Selby on 85, at which point Chobham declared. This went some way to vindicating Selby whose fielding lapse on the midwicket boundary, while in mid conversation with some spectators left his team-mates gasping in er..amazement

Once again the early batsmen let the side down in Woods reply and 8 for 3, albeit the face of some lively bowling from Jarvis and Rowe, was a poor return on a good batting surface. Ryan Polley, playing his first game for the First X1 this year, played his natural hard-hitting game at number 5, and struck 33 including 2 massive sixes. Robert Hicks again batted well for his 16, but wickets continued to fall and at 76 for 7 Woods were in dire straits. Skipper Wortley dug in for his 13 not out and Dave Pryor hit a rapid 23, but once he was out the tail was swept aside and Woods were all out for 114.

The Second X1 hung on for a draw in their match, scoring 152 for 8 in reply to Chobham's 226 for 6. The Thirds also drew in a tense finish against with Old Hamptonians, Woods scoring 188 (Delroy Gordon 60) and Hamptonians replying with 165 for 8 (6 wickets for star all-rounder Gordon)

Match report on the 3rd X1 fixture of 12/07/03

Match report on the Sunday 2nd X1 fixture of 13/07/03

Woodmansterne 1st X1 could not emulate the success of the club's second and third elevens and went down to a 6 wicket defeat at the hands of local rivals Caterham.

Wortley once again had no luck with the toss and Woods were asked to bat. The top order didn't have much of an answer to the pace of Wylie and March and they were in deep trouble as the score slumped to 30 for 4. The side was indebted to Dave Brazier (19) and Robert Hicks (34) for a partnership 49 which saved them from a rout. This was an important innings for Hicks, made against quality bowling in a difficult situation.

Wortley (31 not out) and Braden Higgs (12) added 22 for the seventh wicket, and it was left to Dave Pryor to provide some entertainment at the end of the innings. Pryor teased the fielding side in pretending to go for a second run, but much to his chagrin Bullen took up the challenge and his direct hit left Pryor stranded. The declaration came after 55 overs, and 140 for 8, although short of a challenging total, nonetheless represented a considerable recovery.

Spin twins Higgs and Wortley opened the bowling for Woods and the Caterham reply got a away to a sticky start when Reavel was stumped by Pryor in Wortley's first over. Bullen (33) and Congden (37) added 66 for the second wicket before Congdon was lbw to a cunningly concealed Wortley full-toss. Bullen went shortly after, caught by Higgs off Bessant. Wylie (48 not out) now took control and although Chris Vagg had Rowlett caught, again by Higgs, Caterham reached the winning target off 34 overs.

The seconds had a fine win against Ripley. Ripley were dismissed for 144 (Jacobs 5 for 34, Wright 3 for 26) and although Woods were 22 for 3 at one stage, Tony Phillips (47 not out) and Ryan Polley (81 not out) saw them home. The third X1 totalled 179 for 9 (Delroy Gordon 83 not out) against Maori-Oxshott who were bowled out off the last ball of the match for 137 (Gordon 4 for 30, Kevin Miller 3 or 15).

Match report on the 3rd X1 fixture of 05/07/03

Match report on the Sunday 2nd X1 fixture of 06/07/03

The first X1 had a free day following the withdrawal of Spelthorne from the League, so attention this week turned to the 2nd X1 in their fight to maintain First Division status. They were at home to fellow strugglers Byfleet, and both sides were keen to obtain maximum points. Woods skipper Ross Jacobs had no luck with the toss and as is customary Woods were asked to bat first.

Tom Stoker and Bill Bessant opened the batting and put together a partnership of 45 before Bessant was out playing back when he should have been forward, for 24. Stoker was getting into his stride when he was dismissed for 19, and Tony Phillips paid the price for some eccentric calling when he was run out for 12. This brought together Jacobs and Chris Vagg, who started watchfully but then tore into the bowling in a partnership that bought them 137 runs. Jacobs played with typical determination and Vagg with increasing freedom as bowlers paid the price for lapses in length and direction.

Jacobs eventually departed for 32 and Ryan Polley, who had little chance to play himself in, for 1. Andy Graves contributed a bright 16, but it was Vagg who took the glory as a final thunderous off drive for four brought him to a splendid 100, and the declaration.

The Woods bowlers needed a good start and got it thanks to leg spinner Tony Phillips who had opener Philpott caught by James Bull, and then bowled number three Golding with the next ball. When no further wickets were immediately forthcoming Jacobs rang the changes with his bowlers, using seven in all

Bull claimed the next wicket with a sharp caught and bowled and the ever dependable Ken Wright took a couple of wickets thanks to Vagg's safe hands at slip.

Byfleet never threatened to reach the winning target, but the Woods bowlers had some trouble prising out the middle order. Bull made another breakthrought to dismiss Hussain for 20, and with 4 overs to go Peter Aldous claimed the seventh Byfleet wicket. However there were no more successes for Woods, and Savage, with a very accomplished 53 not out, led his side to safety.

The Third X1 chased 164 against Ashtead (Saunders 4 for 34) but were dismissed for 140 (Andy Conway 53)

Match report on the 3rd X1 fixture of 28/06/03

Match report on Sunday 2nd X1 fixture of 29/06/03

Woodmansterne were always slightly behind the clock in this run chase against Whiteley Village and in the end had to settle for a losing draw.

For once skipper Tom Wortley had some luck with the toss and asked Whiteley Village to take first use of another immaculate Woodmansterne strip. Openers Peter Aldous and Bill Bessant toiled in the heat but could not break through against Weedon (39) and Gipson (30), who put on 67 for the first wicket.

A wicket at last fell to the leg spin of Wortley when he bowled Gipson. Birthday boy Chris Vagg got in on the act to dismiss Weedon courtesy of a Peter Aldous catch. The off spin of James Bull accounted for the number three when Bessant held a skyer at point, but the Whiteley middle order kept playing their shots, with Harris (66) striking the ball very firmly.

Bessant returned to the attack and picked up the wicket of Best for 32, and thanks to some very sharp work behind the stumps by Dave Pryor also claimed two victims stumped. The visitors maintained a run-rate of around 5 an over and were able to declare at 230 for 7.

Woods found runs fairly difficult to come by against steady bowling from Whiteley, and after losing 2 early wickets the position was consolidated by Mickey Joyce (27) and Chris Vagg (34). Robert Hicks (26) continued the good work, but the Woods rate was still jut behind what was needed for the final push.

By now the searing heat had got to umpire Neil Park, and he had to be escorted from the field in a bath chair before sun-stroke set in. Tom Wortley and Bill Bessant (both 31 not out) batted soundly enough to pick up maximum batting points, but rather frustratingly Woods had to settle for a losing draw.

Woodmansterne (96 all out) were beaten in the corresponding Second X1 fixture although they fought hard to claim 7 Whiteley Village wickets. The third X1 also lost, to Warlingham, after having their score of188 (Delroy Gordon 58) overhauled by Warlingam for the loss of 2 wickets.

The matches were a mere preamble to an excellent birthday party for Chris Vagg which went on until late into the evening. The die-hards were still knocking back pinacoladas at 2.30 long after the lightweights had gone home.

Click here for a match report on the 3rd X1 fixture of 21/06/03 and here for a match report on Sunday 2nd X1 fixture of 22/06/03

Woodmansterne finally broke their duck for the season with this emphatic 79 win over Englefield Green. With 7 overs to go the game seemed to be drifting towards a draw, but the last 4 wickets fell in 6 balls as a rampant Woods side took control of the match.

Skipper Wortley lost the toss and not surprisingly Woods were asked to bat first. For once the openers didn't disappoint with Andy Conway (29) and Bill Bessant (30) putting on 50 for the first wicket, before Conway was run out.

Chris Vagg (34) continued the good work in a 39 run partnership with Dave Clisby (15) and one of 42 with Robert Hicks (19). The lower middle order did a good job in taking the score to 213, which typified the way all eleven players contributed to the game. Once again Dave Brazier finished the innings with a flourish, striking a fine six over long on. Shanahan for Englefield Green bowled with good pace and control to return figures of 4 for 52.

The Woods opening attack of Jim Selby and Peter Aldous gave the home side a good start when Wortley took a smart catch off Selby and Peter Aldous trapped the number three, caught at short leg by an alert Hicks. Aldous followed this up with another wicket when Conway caught opener Knight.

Bessant and Wortley replaced the pacemen and Wortley picked up wicket courtesy of another short leg catch by Hicks and Bessant bowled top-scorer Stout for 34. Keeper Dave Pryor entered the action with an immaculate leg side stumping off Bessant and Englefield were in trouble at 108 for 6. Woods were well placed but overs were now running out and Wortley replaced Bessant with Vagg, who responded to the call in fine style when his fifth and sixth balls clean bowled Wright and Shanahan. Not to be outdone Wortley took a wicket with his second delivery in the next over and wrapped up the game two balls later when Andy Conway caught the last man, much to the delight of a success-starved Woods team

In their match against Englefield Green the Seconds rattled up 273 for 6 declared in only 43 overs (Ryan Polley making 120, his first century in league cricket), only to see the opposition pass their score for the loss of 8 wickets

The Third X1 had a winning draw against East Molesey, making 247 for 8 declared (George Miller 70, Phil Wells 70) to which East Molesey replied with 175 for 8 (Ted Giles 5 for 49)

Match report on the 3rd X1 fixture of 14/06/03

Match report on the Sunday 2nd X1 fixture of 15/06/03