Well, what a double bubble treat for you this week readers - not only the thrills and spills report from this Sunday's match against Chiddingfold (yet another down to the wire nail biter) but also a "try not to make it up" update for a match I wasn't even at, Liphook & Ripsley on the 02nd of July.

What I'm trying to say here is that if you're looking for well rounded, considered and mildly accurate match analysis then frankly you're looking at the wrong post.

So... Liphook & Ripsley... scanning the score sheets this match looks like it was a real cracker with wickets galore from the likes of Jack Soothill, Sam Shaw-Allen, the ever reliable Mr William Lyon-Taylor and Harry Munden. Solid fielding from across the team with Miles and Sam stepping up the ante with a couple of bowling headshots on the unsuspecting Liphook batsmen. Fearsome stuff. Consistent and capable batting performances saw the unstoppable Elstead U9s seize victory from the jaws of defeat, finishing the game on 170 runs v Liphook & Ripsley's well fought 152. Yet another great day in the office for the team.

Now, let's fast forward to the Sunday just gone, and after a week off our cricketing giants find themselves once more stepping into battle, this time against Chiddingfold, an illustrious club with a fearsome reputation. (I have no idea if that's true by the way but let's go with it for now)

So a toss was made and Elstead find themselves in to field. The Elstead coach breathes a temporary sigh of relief in the sure knowledge that at least he knows where all the kids are for once, and not scaling some rotten tree or digging foxholes in the woods whilst waiting for their turn to bat...

With Morgan "the Welsh is in my blood see" Williams and Jack "the volume" Soothill opening the bowling things got off to a decent start with each taking a wicket apiece. Tidy bowling followed throughout from all of the team, Miles "the pocket dynamo" Williams unleashing some well directed aerial bombardment onto the unsuspecting Chiddingfold batsmen to confuse and confound. Actually, one of the batsmen was in fact a batslady - so should they be called Batsperson then? Again, I have no idea...

Archie Bisley brought some "razzmatazz" to proceedings with a cheeky catch taken off his own bowling followed by a spectacular maiden over from Sam "I am" Shaw-Allen. It could have been a double for him but an unrehearsed attempt at some advanced seam bowling saw his final ball go wide. Mr Joe Ryman (bestselling author of "1001 things to do with a cricket bat"; "Batting - it's all in the mind" and "The Bat Whisperer" completed the bowling assault with his usual gusto, taking one wicket and nearly 2 kneecaps from a thankfully agile wicket keeper, Koby "The Hands" Rival.

With first innings over and Chiddingfold on 175 for 7 wickets, it was time for the serious business of the morning to finally commence. Anyone who's watched "Assault on Precinct 13" will have an idea of what it felt like to be sat at the scoring table which due to it actually being the only table had to double as the squash and biscuits dispensary.... never again.

Anyway, with both scorers hosed down and gently coaxed back to the scene of the trauma we were ready to commence the second innings.

Things got off to a good start and despite losing an early wicket Morgan steadied his ship with a thwacking 4. Unfortunately, things then started coming off the rails. A controversial umpiring decision saw an Elstead wicket fall followed by some sort of malfunction in the batsmen's helmet to helmet radios resulting in one running the other out. All making for some very painful viewing....

But no matter, luckily we had a spare Joe Ryman to wheel out, making an impressive 28 runs. Working well with his partner Koby the runs mounted and the Elstead frowns began to turn upside down at last... we saw our chance.

With our final pair walking out on to the field of battle, Elstead stood at 176. Just one run ahead.

Now, as anyone who follows the rules of Junior cricket will know ... this game was balanced on a knife edge. Yes, we could make many more runs from the remaining 24 balls.... but we could easily lose wicket after wicket and see a winning score quickly going into reverse...

It's at time like this you need a safe pair of hands, some maturity and experience, calm demeanor and controlled emotion.... step in Alfie Lowry and Finn Crisp-O'Brien. Now, I'll be honest, these are a couple of our younger players and I for one was somewhat apprehensive on how this final act was going to play out.

Well, I needn't have worried. Our final pair stepped up to the plate and performed magnificently seeing off 24 balls with a handful of runs and consistently well defended wickets. Final score 185 Runs for 7 v Chiddingfold's 175.

This was yet another hugely entertaining and rewarding match to watch. It never ceases to amaze and impress me how well our U9s continue to improve and develop week after week. The whole team contributed, worked well together and encouraged each other through out. Parents, you should be very proud.