Our home ground for our First XI is Ballards Ash , Wootton Bassett which is renowed throughtout Wiltshire as a batsman`s paradise.  Unsurprisingly we have plenty of batsman queuing up to bat on it but very few who can bowl on it successfully !  Our strike bowler (Jay Brown) keeps rolling back the years but as he gets closer to his bus pass is starting to lose a bit of zip !  He has been ably assisted by his young apprentice (Johan Gouws aka Springer) over the past few seasons in piling up the wickets but it is hard task for these two speedsters.  The supporting cast of bowlers is a mixture of piemen and medium pacers who have all turned in decent figures from time to time but have not managed consistent success.  Word on the Vine is that Mark Brown(aka King of the Swingers) is to play a bigger part on the bowling front in 2007 and there are further rumours that one of our slow bowlers is working on a mystery delivery !  Expect the bowling line up this year to be

Plan A - bowl Jay and Johan

Plan B - look for new bowlers

Plan C - Jay & Johan to bowl out opposition before other bowlers required

Plan D - bowl anyone from other 9 to make up overs

Our batsman continue to post decent averages but 2006 was a bit of comedown from 2005 where seven centuries were posted in one season by four different players.  Most notable of those performances was Bob Mercer (aka glass fingers) with four centuries in a row !  Even more incredible was that he had never scored a century before in 20 years of trying !  Johan , Mark Brown and Andy Smith (aka Porno) also compiled centuries in the glorious summer of 2005 but only Mark Brown and Johan could repeat the feat in 2006.  Word on the Vine for 2007 is watch out for the return of Andy Smith to form and that Matty Bennett (aka Rip van Winkle) will get his first ton.  Expect the batting line up to be

Plan A - Top 6 get all the runs

Plan B - No 7 to 10 can bat as well

Plan C - if No 11 required to bat then God help us

Finally the wicket keeping position warrants a mention.  Glass Fingers Bob is in the chair but injuries expected sooner rather than later.  Phil Tonks (aka Big D) , Paul Hunt (aka Roundboy) and Rip van Winkle are all in line for call ups to fill in should the worst happen to Bob (and we all know it will !).

Our Second XI starts at Cherhill this year in Division 7.  Super Skipper Kevin Crook (aka the German) returns to the role that made him so famous in 2004 ie. Opening Grinder and inspirationalSkipper.  Like the Wombles he does the best with what he can find !  Expect to see more dot balls than scoring deliveries for the first 40 overs whilst Kev gets himself in.  The remaining line up will probably see the return of many veterans from the past.  Expect this team to be old and slow but full of experience and wily cunning.  More reports to follow as the action unfolds this year.