I had high hopes for the 1994 season after two relatively unsuccessful seasons, writes Michael Chetwode. In achieving seven wins and three draws from 14 games, I believe that we have made giant strides this year.

The Cricket Week, held in the first week of July, was the most successful since 1984 when all nine games were won. This year we won six of the eight games and, but for a batting collapse against the Old Blues, we would probably have one that one two.

We started the season off against the School. An appalling batting display on a wet wicket saw us dismissed for 110. However, due to some tight bowling from Henry watkinson, Michael Chetwode (who included a hat-trick in his five wickets), Nigel Radbourne and Stuart Hilton, we restricted the School to 83-9.

Headley saw Nigel Dunnett (102) and Simon Cooper (56) put on 124 for the second wicket. Once again, we were left needing one wicket at the close with Headley still 110 runs short.

The Lancing game produced its almost annual tight contest. Having dismissed them for 173, we collapsed to 30-5 at tea and 96-8 shortly after. Fortunately, Willy Porter (46*) was on song and we managed to scra,ble home with one wicket in hand.

We began the Week against Merrow where Ed Hellings (100*) and Henry Watkinson (56) set us up for a good win, with Henry also taking four wickets with his off-breaks. The Surrey Cryptics were well beaten by 110 runs, even though their side was probabaly stronger than last year. Once again Henry took four wickets bowling very quickly, but the best batting was by Stephen Bailey who hit 51 in his first innings for the Club.

Fettes and Loretto combined to bring down a very strong side for our first ever fixture, which we won by 24 runs. Martin Williamson (55*), Richard Johnson (41) and Will Stephens (37) provided the main batting and Graham Webb took six wickets with some great bowling.

We beat the Old Georgians by two wickets with Johnson (55) and Mike Chase (53) seemingly have the game won. Then we collapsed from 138-2 to 168-7 before getting home. The Old Blues seem to be getting better and better and provided stiff opposition which we were unable to overcome, losing by 48 runs despite a half-century from Helllings and some heavy hitting by Chetwode and Radbourne.

We recorded our first ever win against the Frogs, having made 235-5 from the precarious position of 22-3. Simon Copleston (64), Mike Chase (78) and Johnson (50*) did very well on a tricky wicket which the Frogs were unable to handle, being bowled out for 173.

Uppingham Rovers is best forgotten. Our lack of bowling was cruelly exposed when we were well beaten having set a target of 223. Nigel Dunnett batted for the Rovers, who were one short, only just got in anbd got out before I had an opportunity to bring Nick on to bowl. Not a happy chappie.

Curiously we seem to have become something of a bogey side for the Old Ardinans and have not lost to them for ten years. This year we beat them by seven wickets before tea, with Richard Gutteridge making 66 off 44 balls.

Following the Week we had three other games. Against Eton Ramblers we lost by one run. Following their declaration at 231-7 we seem ed to be cruising with Gutteridge (56) and Johnson (34). There then follwoed a tumble of wickets culminating in Radbourne missing a full toss. Wellington was the game which pleased me the most, as it was the first time we had ever really competed with them. Although the game was drawn, we only required one wicket to win and we had bowled and fielded superbly, with Chetwode taking seven wickets and Richard Radbourne holding four catches. Johnson dropped two catches and "walked" whilst batting, only to reveal later thatbhe was not sure if he had touched the ball. The final game saw another tight finish at Esher where we lost and enjoyable game by fifteen runs. David Bugge made 49 and Steve Isaac 45, otherwise no-one really got going.

I think that most players enjoyed the season. We now have a very healthy number of young players. Henry Watkinson and Simon Copleston have helped enourmously in finding new players and they have also played very well on the field. It has taken alot of pressure off me knowing that Henry can bowl fast and take wickets (although not enough yet). Simon and Mike Chase are now regular lynchpins in the batting line-up.

As is usual with these reports, there are many people to thank who make life much easier for the Captain. Martin Williamson for his work with the books and general help; Richard Seeckts for doing the Fixtures Secretary bit; Peter Woodhead, who produces some superb wickets at the School and Carol Rees in the Enterprisae office who sees that everything is in order. Chris Hamm has done a great job as our resident scorer and Brian Adams continues to give good service in the white coat (more LBWs next year please Brian).

We are constantly looking for new players. If you are about to leave Cranleigh, or have been gone for a while and would like to resume playing, then please contact me. Nick Read (School captain in 1993) will be running the side against the School next year. If you would like to play we will probably start you off in one of the games on Speech Day. Michael Chetwode composed the above report whilst writing his latest all rounder coaching video