Woodmansterne came to the last game of the indoor season against Old Dorkinians determined to improve on the previous performances. This game saw the return of skipper Jerry Geldard and Steve Edwards in place of Neil Park and that handy all rounder 'Ian Jured' to join the Meadowcrofts Snr and Jnr, Jason Hiscox and Paul Benson.

Woods opening attack of Benson and Hiscox started off well bowling a tight line and restricting scoring opportunities to mainly singles, with the result that after 4 overs the score was only 26 (for 1, Benson bowling one of the openers with his pacy (?) first delivery). Thereafter the Dorkinians side scored more freely in the remaining overs despite spirited bowling and good support in the field. In hindsight the turning point of the innings was the dismissal of the Dorkinians #6 batsman to bring in the return of their skipper (having retired after scoring his 25) with two overs to go. His power driving of the ball for 4's and 6's brought a late flurry of runs and raised the total to 125-5 off 12 overs.

In reply Woods opening the batting with Trevor Meadowcroft and Jason Hiscox, who scored steadily but unspectacularly in a first wicket stand of 65 (!) and were repeatedly denied 4's and 6's by excellent Dorkinians fielding. However the openers were able to keep the scoreboard ticking over by including a few 'run' runs in their total - Trevor Meadowcroft in particular benefiting from two direct hits on the stumps which failed to dislodge the bails! Hiscox retired having reached 25, at which point a mini-collapse occurred with both Meadowcroft's departing in quick succession. However the remaining batsmen were unable to up the scoring to the required amount and at the end of their 12 overs Woods had scored exactly 100.

Many thanks go to Jerry Geldard for organising the whole shebang and all those players who turned up and dived about on a Sunday night - next year we will aspire to (not) repeat this year's performance!

Woodmansterne came to the penultimate game of the indoor season against league leaders Caterham. This game saw the indoor debuts of Jason Hiscox and young Thomas Meadowcroft for skipper Jerry Geldard and Steve Edwards (both sunning themselves in Oireland). Disappointingly, no-one could be found at short notice to replace allrounder Neil Griffin (aka 'Ian Jured'), who managed to damage himself somehow on the Saturday.

Caterham won the toss and decided to bat. Having only five players stand-in skipper Paul Benson made the decision to dispense with a wicket-keeper and trust on his bowlers to bowl at the wicket. Unfortunately as a result Caterham's batsmen were able to hits the balls into the corners and 'run' singles with relative ease, and the score ticked along at a rapid rate. Only two batsmen were out (to catches, by Neil Park and Jason Hiscox) - most batsmen reached their twenty-five and retired. At the end of the 12 over onslaught Caterham had amassed 143, which would take some chasing with only five batsmen.

Woods opening their batting with Trevor Meadowcroft and Neil Park, with both openers feeling for the ball early on as the Caterham bowlers swung the ball (how unfair!). Neil Park eventually managed to get on top of the swing and quickly smashed 22 off five balls to get his 25no and retire. Unfortunately none of the other batsmen could manage to drive the ball straight enough to score at the required rate and only Jason Hiscox managed to say at the crease for any length of time. At the end of their 12 overs Woods had scored 83-5 (with Hiscox 22no and Park top scoring with 33).

With one game remaining Woods will be determined to finish their inaugural season in this league on a high note.

Woods 97 all out
Bletchingley 98-2

Following their first foray into the world of indoor cricket, in which the bewildered Woodies lost against against an experienced South Nutfield side (they'd played one game, we hadn't played any), Woodmansterne were determined to put in better performance. There were three changes from the previous week with Trevor Meadowcroft, Neil Griffin and Paul Benson joining Dave Butler, Neil Park and skipper Jeremy Geldard at the expense of the unavailable Millers.

Bletchingley won the toss and inserted the Woodmansterne side. Woods lost Dave Butler early on, as he attempted to guide a ball into the vacant gulley corner, this was a massive blow as Butler had been in rampant form the previous week scoring a rapid 48. Griffin joined Park and the pair batted well until Griffin was well caught and bowled. Park reached his 25 and retired, this brought in Paul Benson to partner Meadowcroft. Good bowling from the Bletchingley change bowlers quickly removed both Meadowcroft and skipper Geldard, which brought Park back to the crease. Park then managed to quickly ended the innings by twice running out the selfless Paul Benson.

Woods began their stint in the field (hall) reasonably well, but 97 was always going to prove a difficult score to defend. Griffin, Benson, Butler and Meadowcroft all bowled well but the Bletchingley batsmen remained composed and hit the back wall regularly for both fours and sixes. In the end Bletchingley won comfortably with an over to spare.