It is said that those who are present when history is made, often do not realise it until sometime later on. This in several respects was true for the Sunday 2nd XI, who amongst other things, played the inaugural game on the new ground and later won their league, both without quite realising!

In itself the fact that the side existed and that 12 second eleven games were played on Sundays was a major improvement on recent years. In 1998 poor availability meant that not one fixture was honoured, so it was with some trepidation that the season began on 25 April. The side were privileged to be the first to perform on the new Short Lane ground (ACG III) and although a wet and gloomy spring day was not enlivened by a dull draw against Wycombe House, Brian Doe did become the first bowler to take five wickets, returning a fine 6-47 from 19 overs.

It may have been the new ground or the Club's first foray into Sunday league cricket that at last saw steady Sunday availability throughout the season. Several senior players were regular members of the side and a large number of juniors appeared at different times. It is only a pity that few of the colts seem able to be available on a regular basis for they always get a game be it with the bat, the ball or both. Testimony to this is the fact that young Daniel Simper had the second highest number of innings of any player. Often thrown in at the deep end in difficult circumstances, Daniel made more than one important contribution and will have learnt a lot from the experience. Thanks are also due to Ron and the rest of the family for their loyal support.

The first league win was a narrow one over Richmond Town when Robert Smith (41*) and Trefor Evans (25) rescued the side after a major collapse. A second league victory over a poor Old Hamptonians outfit saw team morale take a real boost only for it to be heavily dented by a crushing defeat at the hands of a dubiously strong Farnham Royal. Similarly a defeat at Chertsey was shrugged off by the mere fact that we were actually playing their first team.

More victories followed against Egham, Stoke Green and Merrow (non league) with Chris Dunnett recording a fluent 59* in just two hours fifty minutes, much to his own delight. Bill Lynskey scored steadily throughout the season culminating with a splendid 63* against Melrose when Yash Gill made a flamboyant 101* to add to his 58 at Stoke Green. It was a pity that rain prevented the historic Lynskey-Gill partnership from being a match winner.

Few bowlers played regularly in the side due in no small amounts to calls from the first eleven. Not surprisingly though, Steve Adams and Trevor Allen led the averages along with Yash Gill. Brian Doe was the leading wicket taker with 11 in his only two games, which probably says a great deal!

The largest surprise of the season came several weeks after the last game when it was discovered that, masked by an arithmetical error earlier in the year, the second eleven had actually won the Sunday league at the first attempt. When the season finished we were not sure whether we were third or runners-up, but revelled in the delight of the first team's achievements.

Ours was a fine all round performance from a side with no stars but plenty of commitment. I am proud to pay tribute to everyone who appeared, be it once or a dozen times.

Special thanks go to Bill Lynskey for his unswerving support and to Yash Gill for often being available at short notice. Chris Dunnett and Dickie Chessman were excellent value as were the whole Tomkins family who contributed in one way or another.

My thanks also to Adrian and Chris, amongst others, for their hard work on the ground and to John, Jim and latterly Jane for their tremendous efforts with the teas.

John Bird may not have umpired many Sunday second eleven matches in 1999 but he has probably stood in more games than any umpire in Ashford's 145 year history and on behalf all the team I thank him for his loyal service to the Club. He will be near impossible to replace but I hope we still see him regularly, casting a critical eye from the boundary.