My main aim for the season was to lead a side that would be competitive and not gift the opposing teams easy points. What the 2nd XI achieved this year was much more than I dared hope, but the team thoroughly deserved their success.

Two factors were instrumental - the weather, (when the chasing sides' fixtures were washed out, leaving them unable to make ground on us) but much more importantly, the spirit & performances of a side who genuinely believed they could win. This spirit carried the 2nd XI to a number of wins which could all too easily have gone the other way

As in previous years, a nigh number of people (30) played for the side at one time or another, but there was a core of players who played 10 or more of the 15 , completed fixtures, giving the side consistency and balance.

There were no outstanding superstars, but a number of consistent performers supported by team members who made important contributions when it mattered.

The batting line up generally looked solid on paper, and this was proved when the team achieved a sub-100 total only once (against Backworth on a damp track) and was only bowled out 4 times all season. 8 regular batsmen averaging 24 or more shows some solidity. However, it would have been more impressive to have scored 200-plus on more than 3 occasions - totals of 140/150 are going to be a lot harder to defend in B1.

Main contributors with the bat were Phil Hall (215 runs @ 35.83), Richard Moller (211 @ 42.20), Charles Scott,(220 @ 24.44), Oli Edwards (179 @ 35.80), Phil Ottaway (177 @ 29.50) and Alex McLean (288 @ 26.18)

Bowling was the team's strength - 3 bowlers took 20 wickets or more, with all the regular attack taking wickets cheaply, and none going for more than 4 an over. In limited overs games, economy is almost as important as taking wickets. However taking wickets reaps greater reward - from the 9 games when we bowled sides out, we gained a maximum 180 points.

Stars with the ball were Phil Hall again (23 wickets @ 12.13), Keith Crerar (28 @ 13.36), Roger Bell (23 @ 14.57) and John Hill (17 @ 19.76)

Chris Morgan took most of the keeping duties & did so very tidily indeed - for a big man, he is very quick indeed, with a safe pair of hands.

Mentioned in Dispatches

A number of people turned up to play when we were short, notably the Richards ( Jennings & Jackson), the Barlow’s (Phil & Mike), Chris Walton, Neil Pinnock, Andy Graves.

We also acted as I feel a proper 2nd XI should do, by having regular 1st team players who were looking to find form turning out for us and using their time with us to put in a performance that would make it impossible for the 1st XI selectors to ignore them. These players did so with a positive attitude, which in turn spurred the rest of the team to try that little bit harder.

My thanks to all of those who made the effort and contributed when needed ­without committed people like these, any 2nd XI is going to struggle to complete.

Someone who needs a special mention is Phil Ottoway - sadly an injury during the match at Ryton saw Phil on the sidelines until the last game of the season, however those of us who have played with him at some stage in his career appreciate that a vast wealth of experience and talent will need replacing next season now he has decided to step down.

Finally a thank you to Geoff for his tireless work on the square - I particularly remember his willingness to prepare a fresh strip at 11 am one Saturday on the other side of the square, as the original one was still damp. As I recall, we won that game - if it had been called off the whole campaign would have turned out so differently.

Alex Mclean 2004

++ 10 points deducted for non-fulfilment of two Division B fixtures