At what would have been the final league match of the season, had not Badshot cried off, the first team were presented with the trophy and medals for winning Division 2 of the I'anson league.
Winning 11 games and losing just 2, with one drawn and 4 cancelled for weather or covid, Elstead 1st team came a clear first in the division, having been top throughout the whole season. This achievement puts Elstead back in Division 1 for next year, where they have not been for 7 years and is a testament to skipper, Guy, and vice, Paddy, who have led a team of players whose commitment to the team has been another key to their success.
Despite not having a league match to finish the season, Elstead were pleased to welcome Frimley Phoenix 2nd team, who very sportingly agreed to come to and play, given they also had a cancelled league match. It was slightly one sided but played in great spirit, where the result was less important than being able to finish the season with a game and a laugh.
The celebrations began soon after with family and supporters tucking into a curry and a few drinks from the trophy.
So, now the hangovers are finished, Elstead look to the future. We are a growing club once again and plan to continue that expansion; bringing more of our local youth into the game and fostering their development, increasing the amount of cricket open to juniors and improving the delivery of coaching. Getting our 2nd team promotion and continuing with the success of the 1st team will be top priorities also, as well as offering Sunday social cricket and a pathway for junior to senior progression.
All of which requires a lot of backroom work and organisation and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those committee members and junior managers who give their time freely to make this happen. We are one club - 'Up the Stead'