DESPITE the occasional weekend washout it has been a sensational summer of Crusader League cricket action for our teams.

Superb centuries and brilliant bowling displays have graced our pitches over the last five months with many of our teams battling it out amongst the top spots.

The Gazette takes a look back at the season.

BARNARDS GREEN: Robin Longmore, second team player, said: “It would be fair to say that the club reached its realistic targets for the season and no doubt with a long winter ahead, eagerly await the 2009 season when the expectations will be raised and hopefully the weather will be kinder. “The club is going from strength to strength and with an exciting batch of youngsters pushing for places even those in critics corner are talking of what might be. As the season wore on batting form waned, but Jez Clarke seized his opportunity to impress on a number of occasions and Tim Williams and Matt Shimmell played a number of match saving and indeed match-winning innings. “The season ended as a washout but with the team respectably placed fifth in the table. “Skipper Chris Smedley announced that he will be standing down as skipper for the 2009 season, but thanks are extended to him for his capable leadership over the past few seasons and for taking the club on to a higher level.

"The second 11 finished an extremely creditable fourth and with youngsters Tom Clack, Tom Banks, Lewis Hooper, Ashlea Brewer and James Scullion making excellent progress through the season, the future of cricket at the Green looks rosey. Phil Spencer is also stepping down as skipper.

"Fifth place for the third team was a fine effort and the fourths were a real blend of youth and experience and a fourth place finish was a superb effort."

BROMYARD: Third-placed Bromyard have seen Barry Rhodes star with the bat with three centuries and Zahid Saeed dominate with the ball with five five wicket hauls. Edd Oliver said: “We’ve had a very good season, but a couple of injuries to first-team regulars and a lack of availablity in the second half of the season has let us down.

"We did reach our goals for the season as we were aiming for the top four and to finish third was our best finish in division one of the Worcestershire League.

“The second XI have also had by far their best season since we joined the league.

“Winning the WCL KO Cup was a first for a Herefordshire club. We were aiming for a top four finish and to finish third is our best in division one.”

MALVERN: First-team captain Anthony Arnold was pleased with his sides’ season.

He said: “We have bowled and fielded excellently all season, at times we showed patience, at others we took the game by the scruff of the neck and commanded a win.

“With the bat it was a different story, we have been extremely inconsistant, and prone to collapses.

“It is here where we will have to improve next year. Having said that we have then dug ourselves out of our batting wows to set useful totals on most occasions.

"We have no players currently leaving the club and are looking to strengthen our squad over the winter, players wishing to join should feel free to get in contact."

“Overall, I have been pleased with our season, and only the rain on the last day of the season stopped us from reaching my goal of 280 points for the season.”

WORCESTER NOMADS: Barrie Rees, team manager, said: “Considering we had a dreadful start to the season (at one point it looked as if we might struggle to stay up), things have gone quite well.

“Our target before the season started was to win the league.

"Highlights of the season have been Gariff's superb, chanceless century against Astwood Bank and also captain Dannie Rees' brutal hundred against Worcester. Best bowling has been Gariff's 6-25 off 19 overs against Droitwich and Taylor's 7-43 against Oldswinford."

“I thought this was realistic so we didn’t reach our targets but we must aim for top spot next year.”

Read the second part of our STUMPED! cricket season review at noon tomorrow.