Smudger's review of 2004
Having dropped down a league, and despite all the hype, it was always going to be difficult to go straight back up, it always is, but I felt this year we should concentrate on consolidation and finish in the top 8, in preparation for the next season.
  However no-one could account for the poor start we got. We consistantly carried a trend throughout the season as not being able to catch and some mediocre fielding, and once we got in to the rut of losing it was very hard to get back to winning ways, which we eventually did. If you think back to batting, although at times was bad, was not really a problem except for the lack of application by players in valuing your wicket and not panicking even if we did get off to a slow start, using up the overs is as important if not more so, but many of the early games could have turned on those catches being held, Farningham and Chislehurst spring to mind in particular but there were many many others.
  The lack of concentration and mickey taking also played a large part to our game this season, when it should have been channeled more to the opposition, it is very unprofessional and looks bad to both supporters and opposition, it is something we need to look in to next season.

Congratulations must go to Towse on his exceptional performance with the bat, absolutely outstanding, I (and a few others) was disappointed for him for not quite making the 1000, as I'm sure he was, but even so a magnificent effort, even though he bats like a villager in the nets!
  Also a big well done to Bear for not only his attacking win attitude as a captain, and despite it upsetting some, you have to acknowledge the position we were in on the few games we could have got winning draws out of, there wasn't much to lose in going for it, but for his filthy spin/seam/swing bowling finishing 2nd in our league with the amount of wickets, well done the Bear. (Disgracefull I hope I don't resort to that when I'm his age!)
  Many others have made cameo contributions also, but Heathy & Lawsie have also done well this year and deserve a pat on the back.
Personally I have had a poor season compared to previous years, and only two weeks ago made a discovery about myself to which I really owe an apology for to the team (I really didn't know honest). It was my lack of concentration and enthusiasm, I realised this against CUACO when it was one of the few games I got in to when fielding. Looking back, the few games where I did apply myself were Hythe, Rainham & RACS (games in which I took wickets for not many runs - a rareity this year) I have been tired a lot this year probably due to a new baby early season and found it very difficult to focus and stay positive.   However, the batting is coming along nicely, and for someone who didn't have a great season still was the most economical in the team despite the few wickets and poor strike rate, some have said the unluckiest bowler which may be true as you rely on fielders to catch the ball, but you also make you're own luck sometimes and getting in to a state won't help!
  Also disappointing for me was my fielding and catching, which i used to pride myself on, has seriously become unhinged this year, although i had been working on my catching which improved no end but I didn't get any further chances.
  All the postive talk and jargon did get on my nerves more this year, as it was at times "rammed down the throat". People have to remember, although part of a team, everyone is different and have played at all different levels, so personally I, rightly or wrongly, have my standards set very high, and get very disappointed with myself when not achieving that which I know I can, (Some of it has to do with age probably), however, a good stern word or two and a talk work just as well as all this hyped up crap!Please remember that.
  Something else I think we have missed this year, is a strike bowler to partner with me or Heathy. Bowling can also be about partnerships, like batting, first a maiden one end, then perhaps a wicket the other, then another tight over etc etc, with the fielders backing the bowlers up all the way. Not disrespect to Rick, but a Finn like person was/is required.
  That's about it really, ok a disappointing season, but some very good stuff also along the way to take to next year, a lot of good laughs, a few additional players to the squad, and who knows next year!