The cricket season is over - going out with a whimper rather than a bang.

After a slightly bewildering run of 4 straight wins, we had a shot at promotion in the last game on Saturday, had we managed to win and other results gone our way. Sadly, Mother Nature decided that it wasn't to be - a downpour throughout Friday night and most of Saturday morning rendered the pitch unplayable and forced an abandonment - to the benefit of our opponents, Combe Down CC, for whom the resulting two points clinched the second promotion spot from Division 2 of the North Somerset Cricket League. Many congratulations to them and good luck in the top division next year.

I think we can be proud of our efforts this season. After the horrendous nature of last season, when we did not win between early May and the end of the season in September, the club was on its knees in terms of performance, if not personnel. Three straight defeats at the start of this year darkened the picture even more and the previously unthinkable prospect of successive relegations loomed large.

Since then however, the mood has lifted considerably as a couple of victories at the start of June, combined with the return of previously unavailable players, gave the whole club an unmistakeable boost. Since those opening three defeats, we have completed 12 games. Of those, we have won nine and lost only three, enough to finish a highly creditable fifth.

It's my honest belief that, when we have been able to field a full-strength team, we have been the best side in this division. Next season, with a bit of luck and a few less injuries, will bear that out and I may be proved hopelessly wrong but for now, there's a bit more spring in the step of Harptree Villages CC. Roll on May 2007....