Despite a superb unbeaten century by skipper Chris Vagg Woodmansterne failed to record their first win of the season against Old Paulines. After considerable navigational problems the Old Paulines side arrived just in time to win the toss and insert the home team on a hard dry pitch ideal for quality batting.

Woodmansterne began shakily with Park once again missing a straight one and Clisby unluckily caught in the gulley region off of a fierce cut shot. After these initial problems Turner and Vagg entered into a long and prosperous partnership, which was only ended when Turner (46) attempted to reach his fifty with a six.

The usually rapid scoring Selby was unfortunately run out attempting a short single, this however did not deter skipper Vagg from continued savagery. In partnership with all-rounder Tony Phillips Vagg smashed a tired and lacklustre attack to all parts of ground. A particularly slow Old Paulines over rate brought a premature end to the Woods innings.

Woodmansterne began with highly attacking fields, but a combination of dropped catches, a fast outfield and some wayward bowling gave Old Paulines a rapid start.

Woodmansterne's first two successes came courtesy of leg-spinner Philips who had Holmes and Paulines skipper Farhat caught at the wicket by enigmatic keeper Pryor. Vagg re-introduced his spearhead fast bowler Selby who immediately had left hander Evans bowled and later claimed two more scalps. Sam Beighton chipped in with two wickets but in the end the strong Paulines batting line up eased home.

Despite sound contributions from Brazier (25), Bull (36not out) and Gordon (36) Woods 2nd XI were unable to defeat a strong Farncombe side who ran out winners by wkts.

Woodmansterne's 3rd XI continued their strong run of performances with a winning draw against Epsom.

Woodmansterne's miserable season continued with another defeat, this time at the hands of Godalming. Woods won the toss and skipper Chris Vagg inserted the opposition, who set off at a good rate and maintained it throughout their innings. Pick of the Woods bowlers was Tony 'I thought we were playing at Kenley' Phillips who returned 2 for 51 from 13 overs. All the Godalming batsmen made solid contributions, Churamin top scoring with 78.

In response Woods lost an early wicket before George Miller with a typically determined 29 and Chris Park (24) steadied things. When Park was out wickets fell in steady procession, the pick of the bowlers being Hartley who took 5 for 50 and maintained excellent pace and control throughout. Of the later Woods batsmen only Phillips (10), Bessant (21) and Selby (11) made it into double figures. Pryor was left stranded on 9 but apparently would have made at least 120 not out had not the others let him down in their usual fashion.

Better news came from the second and third elevens. The seconds rattled up 228 for 6 declared against Kenley, with Delroy Gordon hammering 81 not out, Steve Goodwin 36 and the young Graves brothers impressing with the bat on their debuts (David making 29 and Andy 15). Kenley drew the game, replying with 182 for 6, Gordon completing an excellent day with 4 for 71.

The third eleven had a convincing win against Ashtead with Ken Wright and Ted Giles each claiming three wickets and Guy Burbedge 2 in the Ashtead score of190. Woods knocked off the runs for the loss of 5 wickets with the consistent Graham Polley making 64 not out and Bob Conquest 45.

Doh!

It is ironic that Woodmansterne found themselves thwarted by the weather when well placed against Pyrford, one of the sides they managed to beat last season. In the play that was possible between showers Pyrford were in deep trouble, at one stage being 5 for 3.

Chris Vagg won the toss and put Pyrford in on a pitch which was ideally suited to medium paced bowling. James Selby and Bill Bessant opened the attack for Woods and soon exploited the helpful conditions. Dave Pryor claimed a catch off Bessant's first delivery and when James Bull ran out the other opener with a direct hit from 35 yards Pyrford were 3 for 2.

Shortly afterwards the heavens opened and the delay to play would have been even greater if it were not for Woods' state of the art computer controlled ground covering system. At the flick of a switch the laser guided covers swept across the ground preventing all but a handful of drops falling on the hallowed turf of the Woodmansterne Oval. Other clubs may choose to spend their money on overseas players but the sum invested by Woodmansterne on their covers is surely £8.27 well spent.

After the shower the Bessant/ Pryor combination struck again and if Selby had not once more been let down by his fielders when a catch went to ground, things would have been extremely serious for Pyrford. A few bold strokes took their score to 24 when rain intervened for the second time and the umpires had no option but to call the game off.

Woodmansterne will be looking for better fortune in the coming weeks, and hopefully better availability from players; a total of 24 have been used in only 7 games so far this season.

Weather also intervened in the Seconds and Thirds fixtures. The seconds players spent many happy hours driving through Surrey (and parts of Middlesex probably) before arriving at Englefield Green at the same time as the rain.

After a pool master class in the bar by social member Ralph Patel, the players made their way home: Selby to tend to his domestic chores and spend a happy evening watching the Shopping Channel; Dave Pryor to spend hours on the phone trying to persuade Dave Clisby to lend him his bat for next week's game; and the others to dream of what might have been.

Woodmansterne, although lacking a number of regular players for this match, nonetheless posted a good total against Ripley in their Fuller's Surrey County League clash. Unfortunately for them it was not enough to stop Ripley recording a comfortable victory.

Woods had first use of a good batting strip and after losing an early wicket, George Miller (35) and David Clisby (39) put together a solid partnership of 78. Both played well and set the stage for Ian Miller (26) and Chris Vagg (72 not out). Sixteen year old Miller made an impressive debut for the first X1 and is clearly a player with a bright future.

Vagg continued in the prolific form he has shown this year, getting off the mark with a six and racing to 50 in 48 balls. Overseas all rounder Managei (3 for 34) was the pick of the bowlers.

Bill Bessant and spinner Dave Toms opened the bowling for Woods and Ripley found themselves a wicket down in Bessant's second over. Sam Beighton (2 for 58) took over from Toms and he and Bessant (3 for 73) shared the first four wickets between them. At 110 for 4 the game was finely balanced but then Aussie Hackney (115 not out) had a crucial partnership with Dunn (40) which took Ripley to the brink of victory. Hackney played very powerfully and made good use of the short boundaries.

The result leaves Woods firmly entrenched at the bottom of the Division One table.

The second eleven had a losing draw with Ripley, Ripley making 228 for 6 declared, and Woods replying with 122 for 5 (Ray Turner 46 not out). The third eleven won an exciting match against Mitcham by 3 runs. Woods made 226 for 8 declared with Graham Polley (77) and Ryan Polley (57) sharing a partnership of 138.

Woodmansterne skipper Chris Vagg is calling on his players to show greater self-belief after another disappointing performance that saw them crash to an eight wicket defeat at the hands of Thames Ditton.

Vagg lost the all-important toss and Woods were asked to bat. After half an hour's play the Woods score stood at 10 for 4, with Johns (4 for 31) causing all sorts of problems, and humiliation loomed. Tony Phillips (17) and Sam Beighton (15) steadied things before James Bull and James 'Robobat' Selby lifted Woods morale with a terrific 70 run partnership.

Fun -loving Selby blasted 5 fours off the first dozen balls he received, and carried on in like vein before falling lbw for 47. At the other end James Bull showed great application and sound shot selection in his score of 35.

138 was always going to be a difficult total to defend on a good wicket. Spinners Phillips and Bull opened the bowling for Woods and Phillips made the important breakthrough. Opener Sprowson was caught by Goodwin at point and Patel was stumped by Pryor to leave Thames Ditton at 23 for 2.

A couple of crucial catches now went down and G. Billcliff (104 not out) and Anderson (22 not out) prospered. Billcliff was particularly strong on the drive and pull and bought up his hundred just before the Woods total was passed. Woods can at least take some consolation from the game in the form showed by youngsters Beighton and Bull and veteran Selby.

In the corresponding seconds game, Woods competed well but eventually went down to Thames Ditton by 4 wickets, after declaring at 171 for 5 (Tom Stoker 41). The third eleven had the better of their fixture taking a winning draw off Old Emanuel. Woods posted 201 for 7 declared (Phil Rowe 72) Old Emanuel replying with 114 for 6.

'Cricket is a game of the most terrifying stresses with more luck about it than any other game I know. They call it a team game, but in fact it is the loneliest game of all'. John Arlott.

In a game that Woods needed to win, skipper Chris Vagg lost the toss and Woods were invited to bat first. The batting was opened by Neil Park and Matt Brandwood, before the latter left on his tour of the minor Commonwealth Dominions. The pair played soundly, putting on 44 for the first wicket in good time before Brandwood was out for 19. Park played very fluently for 25 and solid contributions were made by Chris Vagg (16) and Tony Phillips (19) but once again the middle order fell away. All rounder James Selby (19) batted sensibly (for a change) and with Dave Pryor and Paul Benson he helped to bring the Woods total to 142 all out. Stevens (5 for 18) and Reid (4 for 47) performed as well with the ball as they were later to do with the bat.

Leg-break demon Phillips opened the bowling for Woods with Bill Bessant, but with little encouragement for the spinner, Selby was soon brought on. Selby was the model of controlled aggression. With the brilliant May sunshine reflecting at crazy angles from his manly bronzed forehead, and his arms working away like the pistons in his little blue sports car, Selby tore into action.

After Bessant had struck first thanks to a well taken catch by Matt Brandwood, Selby made his mark, taking three wickets in all including a stunning left handed caught and bowled.

It was a pity that Bessant could not emulate this latter feat when a simple return catch was offered. Alas! ...Bessant spilled the chance; the crowd gasped in disbelief; Pryor cursed (an offence which was heavily punished by Neil Park and Dave Clisby's Fines Committee); and Bessant endured another dark night of the soul as news of the terrible miss leaked out onto the cruel, mean streets that meander like varicose veins through the never-ending urban nightmare that is downtown Horley. Questions will be asked in high places, be assured that no-one will be able to pull the wool over the eyes of match fixing supremo Lord Condom.

Sam Beighton took over bowling from Bessant and fortunately made amends for the latter's lapse with an important lbw that left Horley in deep trouble.

Wicketkeeper Dave Pryor entered the action as he leapt like a rampant salmon fighting its way upstream to spawn, to take a great catch off the persevering Selby, which reduced Horley to 75 for 6. Woods now looked favourites to take the game but after Stevens (42 not out) survived a confident lbw shout first ball he entered into a match winning partnership with Reid (29 not out). Vagg changed the bowling attack, trying first James Bull, and then himself, a decision upon which he had time to reflect during the interlude which occurred when his first delivery was being retrieved from the car park.

It was a disappointing effort from Woods, and as the sun set, Matt and Karen left Woodmansterne for the last time to the sound of Jim Selby still holding forth in the bar on the topics of 'geriatrics', 'catches' and 'what's that all about then'?

The second X1 lost their game against Chobham by six wickets despite significant contributions in their score of 158 for 3 declared from the evergreen (if not a slightly red shade of it) Ray Turner (89) and Dave Brazier (38). Those are the scores not the ages by the way. The thirds also came off second best, going down to Sanderstead by 5 wickets after being bowled out for 128 (George Miller 54, RNLI Conquest 18).

Woodmansterne Cricket Club is facing a difficult season in the light of losing a number of senior players from the first X1. The first X1 was at home to Whiteley Village and after an awful start performed with some credit.

Woods batted first and steady bowling by Johnson (4 for 36) and Hopkinson (4 for 25) had all the Woods batsmen in difficulty and they found themselves at 67 for 9.

Fortunately skipper Chris Vagg (60 not out) was once gain in great form, getting off the mark with a tremendous straight six, and he and Paul Benson managed to double the Woods total with an unbroken last wicket partnership. Vagg reached his second 50 in three knocks, and Benson (15 not out) played with great common sense and application. The declaration came at the end of 55 overs, 132 at least being some sort of total to defend on a slow pitch.

When Woods came to bowl James Selby (3 for 55) performed with great heart and was unlucky not to return even more impressive figures. Whitely opener Pope played a solid knock of 50 before being bowled by spinner James Bull (1 for 28). However Jacobson (44 not out) was dropped twice off Selby and in partnership with Johnson (25) he turned the game in Whiteley's favour.

Vagg picked up a wicket towards the end and Ken Wright put some of the other bowlers to shame with a remarkable 2 for 0 from three overs of immaculate medium pace. Unfortunately for Woods it came too late and Whiteley duly won by three wickets.

Woods seconds went down to Whiteley Village by 126 runs, but better news came from the thirds in a friendly with Cheam Park. Ryan Polley scored 52 and Samin Patel 46 in Woods 139, Cheam Park replying with 107 for 9, Guy Burbedge picking up 5 for 21.

Woodmansterne were away to Byfleet in their latest Fuller's County League clash. When Woods passed 170 with 6 wickets down, chasing 215 for victory, an exciting finish was on the cards.

Woods' skipper Chris Vagg put Byfleet in and they made steady progress against the Woods opening attack of Bill Bessant (2 for 48) and Delroy Gordon (1 for 48). Good catches by 'keeper Dave Pryor and Tony Phillips accounted for the first two wickets.

On an intensely hot day it was not long before the spinners James Bull (1 for 44) and Tony Phillips (0 for 38) took up the attack. Bull captured the third wicket to fall with a sharp return catch, but then Buzaglo (79 not out) and Savale (48) put on 106 in quick time for the fourth wicket. They were very severe on anything short, finding a short leg -side boundary to their liking. Byfleet were able to declare at 214 for 4 off 45 overs.

Matt Brandwood (27) and Neil Park (19) provided a solid foundation for Dave Clisby (44) and Tony Phillips (26) to challenge the Byfleet total. Clisby has been a revelation this year with his positive strokeplay, and when he and the ice-cool Phillips were together a win looked possible. With all the middle order making contributions, 40 were required at 6 an over with 4 wickets left. Unfortunately for Woods their challenge fell away after Bull was run-out and they were all out for 178.

Woods seconds fared no better, posting 131 all out after Ray Turner (41) and Tom Stoker (27) had given them a solid start, going down to Byfleet by 8 wickets. The thirds held on for a draw against Chipstead in a friendly, Andy Graves making a very promising 55 not out.

With Woods' home venue still waterlogged, Croygas and Carshalton kindly agreed to play this fixture at their ground. Woods generally completed well in the match but had to settle for a losing draw in the end.

Woods' skipper Chris Vagg won the toss and put Croygas in. Selby (2-49) and Bessant (1-30) bowled economically and between them captured the first three wickets. After a cautious start Stockdale (72) played particularly well and he and Goodchild (33) put on a crucial 73 for the fourth wicket. Vagg (3-60) and Delroy Gordon (2-45) took up the attack and although wickets fell at regular intervals Croygas stepped up the run-rate towards the end of their innings and declared at 194 after 54 overs.

After the Woods openers went cheaply Vagg (69) and Dave Clisby played comfortably until Clisby was unluckily dismissed, well held at fine leg off a full-toss. The next two wickets fell quickly, but then Vagg found a reliable partner in Delroy Gordon (15). Vagg was back to his best in this innings, playing with his trademark authority and power. A lot of responsibility rests on his shoulders this year and the way he responded to the challenge was heartening for the whole side. When finally he was out James Bull (12 not out) saw Woods through to a draw.

Woods seconds had a similar result in their game, Croygas running up 194 for 4 and Woods replying with 122 for 7. Jason Hiscox put in a fine all round performance, taking 3 for 59 and top-scoring with 31 not out.

The 2001 season got underway with this friendly against Beddington, who should be congratulated for preparing a pitch which was playable after the heavy rain of recent months.

The players arrived to find Irene and Dave Harris leafing through a mass of correspondence issued by the League on the topic of penalty runs and other esoteric phenomena. No doubt they will have it all worked out by next week.

Beddington batted first on what was always going to be a very slow pitch. Bill Bessant (1-14) and Sam Beighton (1-13) opened the bowling for Woods, with Bessant denying Beighton his first wicket by skilfully dropping a catch at square leg. This proved to be the first of 9 put down by the team, clearly something for coaching supremo George Miller to work on.

The first wicket went to a catch behind by stand-in keeper Chris Vagg off Bessant, and Beighton followed this up with an excellent delivery to remove the other opener. Delroy Gordon (3-28) and Paul Benson (1-29) took over the attack and they kept a tight line and length to keep up the pressure on the batsmen. Malcolm Wood clung on to a skier off Gordon and Benson took a sharp return catch to leave Beddington in some trouble. Zaff (95 not out) rescued the home side with some powerful strokeplay, although he was the main beneficiary of Woods' generosity in the catching department.

Ian Park (1-25) and Jason Hiscox (0-20) kept up the good work until rain intervened, leaving Beddington on 134 for 7. The rain continued and the match was abandoned, leaving the Woods players to reflect on their contrasting bowling and catching performances.