On a sunny Bank Holiday Monday the President's XI, comprising a team of Yateley Old Boys plus the Webmaster, showed a spirited Yateley XI the art of run chasing.

The young Yateley team batted first and 19-year old Mike Leary (54) and 15-year old Tom Lawrence (40) put on 100 for the first wicket to lay the perfect foundation for a big score. Skipper, President Max Kaye, needed to stem the flow of runs and, realising that Chris Jacobs's days of bowling at 90 mph were long gone, turned to veteran Ray DeWinter. Ray's left-hand flight and spin pegged back the run rate and ripped out the top order, taking 3-28 in his 8 over spell. Simon Fishleigh, in typical style, got the innings back on track with a hard-hit 24 not out. A final total of 198 for 6 in 40 overs was probably 50 runs short of what was needed to test the President's XI's strong batting line up.

Former Yateley skipper Steve Coxhead and 18-year old Hampshire 2's player Chris Benham opened the batting for the President. Steve got the innings off to a flyer to reach his 50 first in commanding style. As he tired Chris took over and dispensed the Yateley bowlers to all parts of the ground in his 77. Chris took one chance too many and got bowled by a straight one from Simon Mant ... enter ex-Surrey U18 Max Shoveller with 50 still needed. Just 15 balls later the game was over as the President's XI reached 200 for 2 in just 28 overs! Max hit four massive sixes in his 44 no.

Back Row: Mick, Richard Kaye, Steve Coxhead, Troy Tomsett, Chris Benham, Ray DeWinter. Front Row: Len Sweales, David DeWinter, Chris Jacobs, Max Shoveller, Max Kaye.
Click here to see all the photographs. Go to Photo Gallery for the captions.

Thinking they had already achieved promotion, complacency crept into the 1st XI performance in a lethargic display at Holyport. All they could muster was a losing draw leaving them needing at least the same in their final game next week. Holyport rattled up 207-8 in the heat against the bowling of Lipo (3 wkts), Massey (3 wkts), and Andy Davies 2 wickets. Simon Mant failed to make any impact with ace bowler Rob Barrett sorely missed. Yateley failed to inspire with a meagre 127 for 7 with only Simon Fishleigh (39 no) and Simon Massey (33) putting up any real resistence.

In contrast the 2ndXI put in a fine performance against Purley, narrowly missing out on a much-deserved victory.
Batting first Purley notched up 196-9 on yet another batsman's paradise at Chandlers Lane, despite a marathon bowling spell from Martin Owton (3-60) supported by Colin Justice (2-30) and Jaemie Gale (2-33). Yateley set about getting the runs, with an exhausted Colin Justice batting all through the innings for his 65 no. Joe Bird (14), Kevin Glazier (28) and Mike Ross (11) kept the scoring rate going but victory was looking elusive until Martin Owton up'ed the tempo with a quick-fire 23 no. It was not quite enough, though, with Yateley finishing just 1 run short to earn a losing draw. The 2nd XI now need a good result against the Division's top team next week to avoid relegation.  Click to see the photographs.

The 3rdXI struggled against Holyport who scored 207 for 8 on a hot day at Yateley Green. As ever John Branson was the pick of the bowlers taking 5 wickets for 24 in a long spell. Dave Goddard helped out with 3 wickets. In reply Yateley made just 88.The only only excuse skipper Dave could offer was bad batting, although Tony King was an exception with a steady 30. 

Rain intervened in both the first and third eleven matches to deny Yateley the wins they needed. In the top of the league clash with Swindon NALGO the 1st XI's hopes of the championship were dashed at the half way stage. Swindon had scored a testing 208 for 7 despite yet another fine bowling performance from Rob Barrett who finished with 6-84 off 22 overs. The title is now unattainable but promotion is almost assured as long as there are no slip-ups in the remaining two games. In a similar match, Theale & Tilehurst had notched up 194 for 7 against the 3rd XI when the rain came. The bowling honours were shared out with wickets for Alex Barker (3), Dave Goddard (2), Andy Briggs (1) and Sat (1). Skipper Dave was confident that his strong batting line-up would have knocked-off the runs, but now he is reliant on other sides losing to gain promotion.
This week Bob Drewell got to Chandlers Lane with his camera before the Webmaster. Click to see his photographs.

The 1st XI got the better of Frimley on a slow damp wicket at Chandlers Lane. Batting first Yateley made 175-8 in their alloted 45 overs with contributions from James Mace (34), Stuart Lipo (42), Tom Lawrence (15), Stuart Lawrence (15) and Simon Mant (23 no). Having got Aussie pro, Boon, cheaply, it was left to ex-Yateley opening batsman Tommy Hammond to chase the total. With Frimley needing 8 runs off 7 balls, Tommy holed out to a brilliant catch on the boundary by Saj for a fine 43. Andy Briggs (3-18) kept it very tight in the last few overs after good bowling by Hoy (2-44), Jaemie Gale (2-34) and Simon Mant (1-9). Click here for photographs.

The 1st XI needed a win today to set up the title decider against Swindon next Saturday. It wasn't to be as they were restricted to 149 for 7 on a very poor wicket at Compton. Kevin Denston battled his way to a fine 80, supported by a defiant Tom Lawrence. Rob Barrett with 4 wickets and Stuart Lipo with 2 couldn't stop Compton reaching the target with 3 wickets to spare. Kevin's brilliant catch in the slips is in the running as the catch of the season. 

The 2nd XI are fighting hard to avoid relegation with another win for stand-in skipper Selwyn Grimsley. Emmbrook could only muster 89 against a good all round bowling performance. Andy Davies (2-12) is getting back to form and young Peter Wilson (1-20) is improving every match. However, it was left to the old timers to polish off the visitors with Colin Justice grabbing 6 for 25 in 14 overs and George Wakely adding 1 for 3. In contrast it was 16 year old Tom Auldridge who shone with the bat, hitting a polished 33 to see Yateley home by 4 wickets. He was well supported by Keith Sawyer (18 no),  after Colin (10) and Selwyn (12) had seen off the new ball.  Click here for photographs.

The 3rd XI haven't given up hope of promotion as they notched up another 200+ score at the Green. Saj (88) was again outstanding with the bat (and surely can't stay in the 3rd XI much longer!). To avoid the usual name confusion Sat was also playing in the same game and played a good supporting role for his 31. Dependable Stuart Lawrence with 25 enabled Yateley to declare on 215 for 8. It was a close match, though, with Peppard reaching 197 before being bowled out in the gathering gloom. John Branson finally wrapped up the innings with 3 wickets after Andy Briggs, Sat and Dave Goddard staedily worked their way through the early batsmen.

Due to a late start the 1st XI game against Thameside Wicketers was limited to 30 overs a side. Nevertheless, over 400 runs were scored in the match. Batting first Yateley put on 140 for the first wicket. Kevin Denston was out for a quick 48 leaving James Mace to continue to plunder the bowling before he retired on 136. Tom Lawrence carried on the run feast with 45 enabling Yateley to reach 248 for 2. Thameside Wicketers were restricted to 170-9 through tight bowling by Lipo (3 wkts) and Mant (2 wkts) to give Yateley the victory by 78 runs.

The 2nd XI narrowly lost against Cove at Chandlers Lane. Yateley were all out for 103 on a damp wicket. Ian Taylor (25), Stuart Lawrence (17), Simon Fishleigh (12), Danny Long (17) and Andy Davies (11). Cove had the best of the wicket as it dried out after heavy overnight rain and carefully edged their way to the total for the loss of 8 wickets. Stuart Fishleigh (3-10), Andy Briggs (3-35). 20 more runs and the result would have a been a different story.

The 1st XI made (very) short work of Stratfield Turgis, winning in just 4.4 overs! With the forecast promising heavy showers by late afternoon Yateley won the toss and invited the visitors to bat in the hope of getting them out quickly. Rob Barret (2-18) struck in his first over to set the scene. Stuart Lipo (3-12) ripped out the top order with a very fast spell of bowling. On came Simon Massey to polish off the bottom order with 4 for 4 in 6 overs. With the clouds gathering Simon Massey (26) and Kevin Denston (10) set about getting the 38 needed in a hurry. 4 overs and 4 balls later the job was done and the heavens opened as they reached the pavillion. We shouldn't forget, either, that it was the Webmaster's superb catch that triggered Stratfield's dramatic batting collapse. Click here for photographs.

The 2nd XI had Woodcote struggling at 130-7 before the rain intervened. Andy Davies took 4 wickets with one a piece for Peter Wilson and George Wakely.

The 3rd XI were 114-9 at the same point in their game against Goring. Contributions were made by Andy Briggs (36), Ian Taylor (15), Tony King (12) and Saj (10) -or was it Sat?. Click here for photographs.