Woodmansterne enjoyed one of their best days for years with all three sides winning their respective league matches.

The first X1 were away at Pyrford, and mindful of skipper Chris Vagg's comments of the previous week, were keen to put in an improved performance. Vagg won the toss and put Pyrford in.

Selby and Bessant once again bowled tightly, and backed up by a much improved performance in the field the pressure told and wickets fell at regular intervals. Selby was unlucky to finish wicketless, but Bessant (5 for 37 in 18 overs) clung on to two sharp caught and bowled's and with three other catches being taken, including an excellent one by Clisby, the Pyford score slumped to 64 for 5.

They recovered a little through Hedges (39) and Shafiq (42) but once the breakthrough was made Danny Turner (1 for 16), Vagg (1 for 21) and Patel (2 for 12) wrapped up the innings for 129.

Woods started their innings with the unlucky Ray Turner run out without facing a ball. Matt Brandwood was starting to take toll of some wayward Pyford bowling before he holed out to mid off. Patel (18) and Danny Turner then batted positively to take the score into the fifties, but three wickets fell in quick succession to put the game in the balance.

Neil Park went in to partner Turner, who was by now playing with great assurance. Turner batted beautifully for 61 not out, punishing the bad ball but always playing straight in defence. Park (23 not out) batted with great maturity under pressure and the two saw Woods home with an unbroken partnership of 65.

Woods seconds beat Englefield Green by 9 runs, with Steve Goodwin scoring 63 and the promising Peter Aldous taking 3 for 28. The thirds beat Old Rutlishians by three wickets, knocking off the 217 runs required in only 41 overs with Phil Rowe in the runs again with 102 not out.

Woodmansterne skipper Chris Vagg is calling for greater concentration and commitment from his players, especially in the field, after another sub-standard performance. The side had to settle for a losing draw in their latest Fuller's County League game against Ripley.

Ripley batted first and made a steady start against economical bowling by Selby and Bessant. The first bowling change brought on Danny Turner who, as he often does, struck with a wicket in his first over.

With Ripley 70 for 3 after 27 overs, the game was in the balance. Forthright batting from Hameed (38), Dunn (44 not out) and particularly McReavy (47 not out) put Ripley in the driving seat and they were able to declare at 200 for 4 after 55 overs.

Woods made a poor start in their reply and the run out of Patel, promoted to boost the scoring rate, was particularly unfortunate. However, with Ray Turner (38) playing the sheet anchor role Danny Turner (41 in 44 balls) took the attack to the Ripley bowlers before he was given out lbw. After his dismissal Woods could not keep up with the required rate, although Neil Park played some attractive shots at the end to gain a batting bonus point in the final over.

In the seconds game between the two clubs, Woods lost by six wickets. Dave Butler and Tony Phillips both passed forty in the Woods score of 180 for 9. Woods thirds lost a well contested game against Leatherhead by three wickets, Graham Polley top scoring with 72 in the Woods total of 167.

Skipper Chris Vagg must be wondering where Woodmansterne's first win of the season is going to come from, after his under-performing side spurned the chance of victory again.

Vagg won the toss and put Thames Ditton in, and with conditions favourable to seam bowlers, Woods started well. Selby struck in his first over and with Bessant (2 for 8) providing steady support at the other end the home team found runs hard to come by.

Selby bowled with great heart and came off with figures of 2 for 27 from 15 overs. He was replaced by Danny Turner who took a wicket in his first over, at which stage the Thames Ditton score stood at 62 for 6 after 31 overs.

A partnership of over 40 for the seventh wicket was probably the turning point in the match. Reluctant bowler Vagg put himself on and finished the innings off with 2 for 5 from 4 overs. The other wicket takers were Ravi Patel (1 for 29) and James Bull (2 for 17).

A score of 132 should have been possible, but the Thames Ditton bowlers bowled accurately and were well backed up by their fielders. Woods gradually fell behind the scoring rate and when top scorer Danny Turner (27) lost his wicket trying to up the tempo their last hopes went with him. In the end Woods were all out for 104 in 44 overs.

In the corresponding seconds game, Woods lost by 44 runs chasing a score of 146. A brighter note was struck by the third eleven, who beat Twickenham by 49 runs in a friendly. Club stalwarts Phil Rowe and Dave Butler both scored fifties and Ryan Polley 43 not out in their score of 224 for 4 declared and when Woods came to bowl Steve Edwards returned the remarkable figures of 6 for 7.

Woodmansterne find themselves near the foot of the Fuller's County League Division1 table in what has proved to be a difficult start to the new season. Even though they desperately needed some points, they were more relieved than their visitors to see their latest fixture rained off.

Ashtead put Woods into bat on an already damp wicket and in the play that was possible between the showers they lost wickets regularly. Brandwood, who played a superb hook for 6 and Dan Turner both started well but when they were out the score slumped to 59 for 6.

From this poor position Patel (30) and the reliable Pryor (18 not out) showed the necessary application and advanced the score to 95. Patel was missed off an easy chance early on, but thereafter played his trademark square cut to good effect. Woods were all out for 100 with the visitors' overseas bowler, Khan taking 5 wickets.

A heavy downpour at tea delayed the resumption until 6 pm. With Selby unable to keep his footing for either of his first two deliveries, umpire Dave Harris wisely called the game off before Selby was given a chance to add to his repertoire of gymnastic tumbles.

The first success of the year for the club came from the seconds, away at Chobham. Chobham were bowled out for 93 with Kenny Kelly taking 5 for 25 and Saqib Tiwana 3 for 8. Woods knocked off the runs for the loss of 5 wickets, Bob Conquest leading the way with 31, and Tony Phillips finishing on 18 not out.

Woodmansterne are finding life in the Fuller's League no easier than they did in the Surrey Championship. In their game against Kenley, played on a sluggish pitch with a slow outfield, they never threatened to win the match and finally hung on for a draw.

Woods skipper Danny Turner won the toss and elected to field first. It all started well enough for Woods with accurate bowling from Selby (1 for 55) and Bessant (2 for 24) which restricted Kenley to 16 for 2 off 14 overs. The wickets fell to smart running catches by Neil Park and Jason Hiscox.

The fall of the second wicket brought in the destructive Handscomb who played with his usual power to plunder 43 with 5 huge sixes. He was well caught and bowled by Turner off an enormous skier, before he could cause even more damage. Wickets fell to run-outs by Dave Butler and Tony Phillips, but Kenley's late middle order rallied and they were able to advance their score to 166 for 9 declared.

Woodmansterne never really got on top of the accurate Kenley attack, although most of the batsman made some kind of start. Top scorer was the evergreen Dave Brazier with 18 and only Turner and Pryor of the others got into double figures. Woods finished on 76 for 7 after 45 overs to achieve the draw.

Woods seconds suffered a worse fate at the hands of Kenley seconds, losing by 6 wickets after posting a score of 77, Tom Stoker top scoring with 16.

Woodmansterne nearly brought off an exciting win in their Fuller's League fixture against Byfleet. In a well contested game with both sides playing positive cricket, Woods required 5 to win off the last ball of the match. Pryor narrowly failed to make contact and the game was drawn.

Byfleet batted first and progressed smoothly to 206 for 3 declared in 52 overs. Opener Denham contributed a dogged 67 not out and none of the Woods bowlers proved particularly effective, with several dropped catches not helping their cause. Spinners James Bull (2 for 49) and Ralph Patel (1 for 70) picked up the wickets.

When Woods replied they soon lost an early wicket, but Matt Brandwood (58) and Neil Park (36) put together a stand of 95 which put them right back in the game. Brandwood was particularly severe on anything short, and with Park chipping intelligently into gaps in the field runs came at four an over. Vagg (23) kept the momentum going and a superb 27 in only 17 balls from debutant Dave Clisby set up the dramatic climax to the game. All the lower order batsmen made contributions in the run chase and it was left to James Bull and Dave Pryor to score at 9 an over for the last three. They nearly pulled off the win and in the process helped secure a fourth batting bonus point.

In the corresponding seconds fixture, Woomansterne were beaten by 101 runs, with Goodwin making 45 and Tiwana 28 in their score of 118.

Woodmansterne's 2000 season in the Fuller's Surrey County League Division 1 got off to a disappointing start in their first game against Croygas at Mollison Drive on Saturday. They had their chances though, and at one stage looked the likely winners.

Put in to bat Woods made a steady start but then lost wickets regularly, unable to put together a partnership greater than the openers' 24. After Bessant (36) and later on Patel (13) were out, it was left to skipper Vagg (27) to try and post a respectable score with the help of the tail. Spinners Deroza (2-26) and James (3-11) proved too much for the out of form Woods batsmen, and the side was dismissed for exactly 100, which was at least fifty runs short of a respectable score.

When Croygas batted they soon found themselves in serious trouble at 14 for 4, with Patel (one for 37) and Bessant (3 for 23) causing the early damage. Selby at second slip picked up two fine catches and things looked bright for Woods. It was at this stage that McDonald (33) and Howgate (55 not out) applied themselves and gradually put their side back into the match. Jim Selby struck with two late wickets but with Howgate taking heavy toll of some loose bowling Croygas deservedly won the match with 4 wickets to spare.

Woods fared no better in the corresponding second X1 game. They were all out for 118 with only Conway (33) and Benson (19) making significant contributions. Croygas knocked off the runs for the loss of 3 wickets.