Woodmansterne can reflect on a league season where the bowlers performed well and with a few exceptions the batsmen were disappointing. It may be that in a damp summer wickets were rarely hard enough for batsmen to feel confident enough to go for their shots.

In their final match of the season they came away with a losing draw against a talented Kingstonian side.

Kingstonian were put into bat and kept up a good scoring rate even though Bessant (2 for 48) and Selby (2 for 46) picked up wickets in their opening spells. Importantly James Lander held on to a huge skier to dismiss danger man Maz Hassan for 9.

Lander (2 for 41) bowled well in his debut match for the first X1 and the promising all rounder Tom Whortley picked up 2 for 21 at a time when the visitors were looking to accelerate. The declaration came at 196 for 8 off only 44 overs.

Woods started steadily through Brandwood (28) and Park (12) who put on 34 for the first wicket. Patel, Butler and Phillips all passed 20, but the Kingstonian spinners, who turned the ball prodigiously, were difficult to get away. Woods gradually fell behind the clock and it was left to Whortley (28 not out) and Bessant (17 not out) to pick up some batting points at the end of the game.

Woods Second X1 (185) had a highly satisfactory win against Merstham (147). Delroy Gordon and Ian Miller both passed 50 and Gordon completed an excellent personal performance by picking up 4 wickets. Jason Hiscox finished things off with 3 for 9.

The Third X1 (108 for 8) drew with Beddington (123 for 8) in a friendly.

Woodmansterne dug deep to win their game against fellow strugglers Old Guildfordians and thus ensure their continued Surrey County League Division 1 status. After being put in and finding themselves reduced to 1 for 3, they came back to win the game with only two balls to spare.

Following their terrible start, skipper Dan Turner (29 ) and Nigel Harper (13) played watchfully to take the score to 42. When they were out Patel (47 ) mixed careful defence with his own unique brand of strokeplay and in partnership with Dave Clisby (32) who also stroked the ball well, put Woods back in the game with a partnership of 66. Bessant (33 not out in 22 balls) hit out to good effect at the end of the innings to take the Woods total to 170.

Bessant (5 for 54) and Turner (2 for 48) opened the bowling for Woods and kept things very tight. The pressure told and an excellent display in the field helped Bessant to pick up the first five wickets. Highlights were a great catch by Harper diving forward at cover, and a terrific stumping by keeper Pryor.

Patel (3 for 35 ) kept up the pressure on the batsmen and crucially dismissed Gurney for 44 when he was looking very dangerous, and Kitzinger for 40, who was caught off an enormous skier in the gathering gloom by Neil Park. Turner returned to the attack and with only two balls left clean bowled the Guildfordians last man, to give Woodmansterne victory by 10 runs.

Woods seconds had their game against Sinjuns abandoned due to rain, after Sinjuns scored 215 for 6 declared, Woods replying with 24 for 1. The Thirds also had their game abandoned, Ashtead posting 170 for 8 and Woods replying with 32 for no wicket.

Woodmansterne were desperately close to a dramatic win against Old Wimbledonians in their Fuller's County League Division 1 fixture. The result leaves them very close to the relegation zone and they will need to win one of their last two games to ensure survival in the First Division.

Woods' stand-in skipper Dave Pryor put the visitors in after a start delayed by rain. Alert work in the field by Dave Brazier gave Woods their first wicket with a run-out. This was followed by two wickets from Selby and a brilliant catch by Clisby off Bessant left Old Wimbledonians at 54 for 4.

Travers (82 not out) and Billington (33 not out) then shared an unbroken partnership of 103, and Wimbledonians were able to declare at 157 for 4.

In the Woods reply Neil Park held things together with a spirited innings of 53, while wickets fell steadily at the other end. Park has done well in his opener's role this year, one of the few bright spots in a patchy season for Woods. When Park was out with the score on 83, Tony Phillips picked up the challenge with a lively knock of 23.

After a cameo innings from Pryor it was left to Dave Brazier (19) and Tom Whortley (11 not out) to try to win the match for Woods. They both played very well, putting on 24 for the ninth wicket, but Brazier was out with just 6 required and Selby followed a few balls later, leaving Woods tantalisingly short of the victory target.

Woods seconds, 135 all out, lost to Shepperton by 60 runs. There were three wickets each for Park and Lander and Peter Bull was the top scorer for Woods with 29 not out.

Woodmansterne's fine team performance against Marlborough gave them the win that they desperately needed in their fight to stay in Fuller's Surrey County League Division 1. In a well contested game credit must be given to both sides for playing the game in good spirit.

Woods batted first on a pitch offering the bowlers some early assistance. After losing two quick wickets, Harper (38), Turner (20) and Bessant (32) played responsibly and took the score to 139 for 7.

Club stalwarts Dave Brazier (31 not out) and Dave Butler (33 not out off 28 balls) then rolled back the years in a tremendous display of positive strokeplay and running between the wickets which produced a stand of 66 in only 9 overs, and Woods were able to close their innings on 205 for 7.

Marlborough started their reply with a flurry of strokes, with Walker (55) particularly severe on the full length delivery. Selby was unlucky to finish wicketless, but the introduction of leg spinner Whortley (2 for 64) brought the breakthrough, and skipper Dan Turner (3 for 24) made further inroads.

Turner and Harper (3 for 23) bowled particularly well in combination and were supported by some good catches from Brandwood, Clisby and Butler (who, in attempting another catch, took a nasty blow in the face and had to receive hospital treatment).

Bessant returned to the attack and in combination with 'keeper Pryor picked up the last two wickets, which gave Woods the victory with just 10 deliveries to spare.

Woods Second X1 (117 for 7) had a losing draw with Ottershaw (218 for 4), and Woods Thirds (217 for 5) produced the same result with Ashford (241 for 5), Sam Beighton (92 not out) and Samin Patel (35 not out) sharing a stand of142 for Woods.

In their latest Fuller's Surrey County League match Woodmansterne were hosts to Churt, in a match where both sides were keen to take maximum points. Ultimately neither side could be particularly pleased with the resulting draw, and Woods will have to keep pressing hard over the coming weeks if they are to avoid relegation.

Woods won the toss and put the visitors in to bat. After a steady start which saw them reach 102 for 3 after 36 overs, Churt were able to accelerate in the latter stages of their innings and declared at 210 for 7. The most successful bowlers for Woods were Nigel Harper (2 for 34), Saqib Tiawana (1 for 20) and Chris Vagg (1 for 19). For the visitors the outstanding innings was a very well composed 106 from Thomas.

Ralph Patel and Neil Park opened for Woods and put on 22 before Patel was palpably leg before for 15. Park and Danny Turner (26) shared a partnership of 49 for the second wicket in the face of the Churt fast bowlers who found particular fascination with a spot half way down the wicket. This method of attack was never going to bring many wickets but it did make scoring difficult.

Neil Park (62) showed great application and skill in the face of a barrage of short-pitched bowling, in scoring his first fifty for the team. Nigel Harper contributed 18 not out to take the Woods score to 147 for 5, 20 runs short of a winning draw.

The second eleven came away from Stoke D'Abernon, also with a losing draw. They scored 197 for 8, Goodwin making 64 and Gordon 46, and Stoke D'Abernon replied with 161 for 9, Hiscox picking up 4 for 39.

The third eleven emulated the firsts and seconds with a losing draw against Warlingham, who scored 225, Woods replying with 164 for 7 (Guy Burbedge 40).

Last wicket partnerships from both sides held the key to Woodmansterne's Fuller's County League fixture against Roehampton. Roehampton's last pair put on 41 to lift their side's score to respectability and Woodmansterne's last two held on to gain a winning draw for the home team. While this was a good result for Woods, they only have 5 more games left this season, and will need to win two of them if they are going steer clear of the relegation zone.

Roehampton batted first and found it tough going against Bessant (1 for 25 in 19 overs) and Turner (5 for 60 in 25.3 overs). The first wicket fell to a run-out and thereafter some good catches, including 3 each from Whortley and Pryor, tilted the game Woods' way. At 107 for 9 Woods appeared to have the game in the bag, but Mowatt (22 not out) and Mills (19) used up valuable time in their crucial last wicket partnership which took 15 overs to break.

Brandwood and Park opened for Woods and they added 33 against some lively bowling from the visitors. Patel (28) and Turner (16) lifted the score to 79 but then there was a clatter of wickets which left Pryor (24 not out) and Bull (10 not out) to put some of the earlier batsmen to shame in a match saving last wicket partnership of 26.

In the corresponding seconds fixture Roehampton were all out for 88, with Tony Phillips taking a remarkable 5 for 9 from only 2.5 overs! Woods knocked off the runs for the loss of 8 wickets, Bob Conquest top scoring with 38.

The Third X1 were also victorious, against Old Hamptonians. Woods rattled up 226 for 2 declared with Graham Polley scoring 101 not out and Dave Brazier 56 not out. Old Hamptonians were all out for 145, Ted Giles picking up 3 for 45.

Woodmansterne lost a closely fought game with Leatherhead in their Surrey County league fixture. For the umpteenth time this season they failed to capitalise on a start which promised more.

Matt Brandwood and Neil Park opened the batting for Woods and played extremely well on a wicket offering the bowlers some early assistance. Brandwood (71) was severe on some short pitched bowling, and with Park (25) offering solid support they put on 78 for the first wicket.

When Park was out, Bessant and Turner followed in quick succession, both without scoring. The unfortunate Brandwood was run out when looking set for a century, and it was left to Vagg (33) and Patel (32) to lift the score to respectability. Three more ducks in the lower order did not help Woods' cause and they were all out in the 54th over for 177.

When Woods took the field, Vagg opened the bowling with the leg spin of Whortley, who was unlucky to find Oram (68) in sparkling form. After a very rapid start from the Leatherhead batsmen, Turner (1 for 26) and Patel (5 for 56) helped to put Woods back in the game. Patel in particular was back to his best in an excellent spell to cap a fine all-round performance. Woods kept pressing hard, held some good catches, but Leatherhead kept their nerve to win the match by two wickets.

Woods registered a losing draw in the corresponding seconds fixture. Chasing Leatherhead's 204 for 5 they reached 166 for 7.

The Third X1 put in another good performance in their Eve Surrey Championship Division Three campaign. Old Emanuel were dismissed for 126 with skipper Ted Giles picking up 5 for 29. Woods knocked off the runs for the loss of 2 wickets, Steve Goodwin scoring 29, Dave Brazier 33 and Mickey Joyce 29 not out.

Woodmansterne lost to Old Grammarians by 5 wickets in their Fuller's County League fixture, and were left feeling that from a good foundation they should have done better.

Stand-in skipper Danny Turner lost the toss, and Woods were asked to bat on what was clearly going to be a good batting strip. They lost two early wickets before Neil Park (28) and Turner (91) added 99 in an attractive third wicket partnership. Turner batted as fluently as ever and was unlucky to fall to a brilliant catch just short of his century.

With the score at 111 for 3 off 32 overs Woods were well set to post a score of over 200. The visitors applied the pressure and the mid and lower order Woods batsmen fell trying to force the pace, with only Harper (18) and Pryor (11 not out) making double figures.

In reply Old Grammarians got off to a careful start in the face of steady bowling from Bessant and Turner, who each took a wicket in their opening spells. Woods tried a number of different bowlers, but Kirkham (79 not out) and Mee (44) put together a crucial partnership of 95.

This was eventually broken when the opening bowlers returned, Turner going on to take 4 for 50 in 14 overs, to round off a fine all-round performance. Bessant took 1 for 49 in 17.3 overs, but Old Grammarians went on to complete a 5 wicket victory, with one over left.

Woods seconds also lost to Old Grammarians, by 3 wickets. Delroy Gordon cracked 53 in the Woods score of 200 for 9, and Tony Phillips picked up 6 for 70 in the Grammarians reply.

The Third X1 fared better, with a winning draw against Chipstead and Coulsdon. Woodmansterne scored 221, with solid scoring throughout, notably from Clarke 39, Miller 34 and Graham Polley 47. Chipstead and Coulsdon replied with 156 for 9, with Ken Wright picking up 3 for 37.

Woodmansterne came away with a losing draw in their fixture against Haslemere after a start which promised better. Chris Vagg won the all important toss for Woods and put the opposition in. After a few rusty overs, Selby (2 for 51 in 16 overs) and Bessant (2 for 41 in 18 overs) settled into marathon spells which at one stage had Haslemere at 68 for 4 off 28 overs.

Bowling changes brought on spinners Patel and Bull, but they suffered as a number of chances, none of them particularly easy, fell to ground. Dropped catches have been a problem for Woods this year and only Vagg, with two good ones, and Turner managed to hold on to chances offered during the Haslemere innings.

The home side's middle order counter-attacked well, particularly Dempsey with 65, and although Vagg picked up two wickets at the end, Haslemere were in a position to declare after 52 overs.

Woods made a poor start to their reply, losing a wicket in the first over. Patel and Park then began to bat well, but the unlucky Park was run out backing up, after a remarkably straight drive from Patel was deflected on to the stumps by the bowler. Turner top scored for Woods with a handsome 38, but when he was out the innings lost its momentum a little.

Clisby batted well for 31 and Harper for 18, but with wickets falling at regular intervals Woods reluctantly had to settle for the draw, especially as hard hitting Dave Pryor was carrying a leg injury.

Woods Second X1 also had a losing draw in their game against Blackheath. Blackheath scored 224 with leg spinner Tom Wortley picking up 5 for 55 and Woods replied with 117 for 7, Tom Stoker top scoring with 46. The Third X1 won their friendly with Bromley Fourth X1, knocking off the 201 runs required with Graham Polley and Bob Conquest making fifties and newcomer Samin Patel 40.

Woodmansterne were comprehensively beaten in their Fuller's County League game against Southern Railway.

Woodmansterne lost the toss and were put in to bat. Neil Park (34) and Matt Brandwood(19) put together a solid opening partnership of 55 in the face of some enthusiastic outcricket from the visitors.

The fall of the openers on the same score brought in Ralph Patel and Danny Turner who both fought hard against steady bowling. In general skipper Vagg must be pleased he persuaded the reluctant Patel to take over the crucial number three spot.

It was not until Vagg himself came in and showed a welcome return to form which brought him a quickfire 35, that the scoreboard really started to tick over. Pryor and Selby, who played a series wonderful cover drives, some of which actually connected with the ball, took the score to 170 for 9 from 55 overs.

Vagg opened the bowling with spinners Patel and Harper, and Patel struck in his first over to remove the prolific Duplesis for a duck. Unfortunately for Woods this brought in Payton who in partnership with Bartlett (60 not out) took Southern Railway to the brink of victory.

Woods tried seven bowlers but nothing could stop Payton from completing a splendid century. It was only when the scores were level that Turner had Payton caught by Bessant, but it was a case of too little too late.

Chasing a score of 204, Woods Second eleven lost to Valley End by 60 runs, the only bright note being a great all round performance by Tony Phillips who took 5 for 54 and scored 60.

To complete the tale of woe for Woods the Third eleven were well beaten by Chessington. Woods were dismissed for only 44 and Chessington knocked off the runs for the loss of 3 wickets, all taken by Ken Wright.

Woodmansterne came exceptionally close to a miraculous third win a row. Batting first in testing conditions Woodmansterne slumped to 80 all out, with only Matt Brandwood (18) and Dave Clisby (22) showing any real resistance as Godalming's opening bowlers took all ten wickets.

Woodmansterne fought back due to some excellent bowling from speedster Jim Selby (1-7), all rounder Danny Turner (5-39) and spinner Ralph Patel (3-36).

The fine bowling was backed up by a fantastic fielding display unrecognisable from the previous week. Some fantastic catches were taken, the highlights being Kiwi Nigel Harper's one handed effort at cover, James Bull's skier and Selby's slip catch off of a late cut.

The game came to a nail-biting finale with Godalming's last pair requiring fifteen to win, despite some more fine bowling and some close calls, they kept their nerve and racked up a deserved victory.

The second team match away at Merrow also ended in defeat for Woodmansterne, this time by 3 wickets. Woods set the home side 129 to win, and despite some good bowling from Ian Park (4-63) they were unable to defend their total.

The third team match against Richmond Town gave Woods a solid winning draw. Howie Clark led the way with a fine 95 backed up ably by fifties from both Phil Rowe and Graham Polley.

Match Reports May - June 2000