Promotion of the First XI to Division One was the main priority in 2004. With James Wyatt travelling down under, this looked as if it might be a tall order but nobody really anticipated what a magnificent batting performance we would see from Jon Powell. Showing great application  in the indoor nets, he reaped the rewards with a fantastic season in which he scored 1,667 runs including 5 centuries and ten half centuries .He also managed 42 wickets and 17 catches.  Royston Smith shared the batting honours with 2204 runs. Jon and Royston dominated the League season scoring 60% of the total runs scored by Ardleigh Green. The first XI welcomed all rounder Micky Clarke and Jo Jayasuriya to the club. Both made a significant contribution with bat and ball and, in Jo’s case, behind the stumps. The 1^st XI went undefeated in the first round of matches including a notable victory over the eventual league champions, Woodford Wells. The season seemed to turn on a heavy downpour at West Essex when valuable time was lost when well placed for victory. Runners up spot was secured by a large margin over the 3^rd placed team and we look forward to playing in division 1 next year.

2004 also saw the return of Gavin Castle. After suffering from severe pad rash in batting behind Smith and Powell, Inspector Clouseau dropped down to the 2^nd XI. He became one of the six players to pass 1,000 runs for the season. Another was James Lock who achieved the feat for the first time without ever seeming hurried. There was plenty of batting in the 2^nd XI with another 1,000 run man, Martin Cason, scoring back-to-back hundreds in the league and he is willing to talk anyone through each run if they so wish. Misbah Uddin made a marvellous all round contribution to the 2^nd XI albeit a noisy one. For a side whose ambition was to enjoy the cricket and have a drink afterwards, promotion came surprisingly close. Only the postal system, which gave rise to a late result sheet, robbed the team of a premier division place and we think it a marvellous gesture that the skipper no longer works for the Royal Mail.

John Coxall led the 3rds which had more than its share of experience if not youthful zest. Gerry Reardon scored his usual hatful of runs and with Ian Gibbs (another 1,000) man, Geoff Marchant, Andy Symes and Mick Barnard all scoring heavily some useful totals were made. The leading wicket takers were John Coxall and Keith Mitchell but these creaking bones had to concede pride of place to Lloyd Edwards who took 5 wickets in 5 balls against Saffron Walden.

It was always going to be a tough season for the 4^th XI after promotion to the premier division. Led, once again by Andy Cook, the 4ths exceeded expectations with 6 wins to finish 5^th. Young John Bayfield led the way in the batting and there were runs too for the ever-reliable Ken Moore and the not so reliable Al Surrey. There was a metamorphosis for Big Al this year as, first the weight came off, then the hair came off and turned a funny colour – next year we’re hoping that he can make similar changes to his technique. Dean Pruscino was the puck of the bowlers with Dave Brown and Andy Cook also taking regular wickets.

That old warhorse Vic Simmons re-introduced the 5^th XI to develop the younger players in the club. Alex Cason and Adam Green seemed eerily comfortable in senior cricket playing alongside such giants as Herbie Gosnell. Herbie wants to arrange regular fixtures against Hockerill against whom he made 3 significant scores. Neil Cook scored his maiden century for the 5^th XI but also managed to run away with the duck cup for this year.

Sundays were a let down with the 1^st XI out of the hunt almost before playing as good cup runs enforced a 2^nd XI to fulfil a couple of Sunday League fixtures. There were some good performances in the cup, which came to an end with defeats to strong Finchley and Wanstead sides. Chris Cook continued his impressive progress with a century at Stanford-le-Hope.  Midweek saw too many fixtures cancelled due to the weather or late withdrawals by the opposition.

There were some strange events in the season with Brian Haylett taking two stunning catches in successive weeks. More unlikely was the sight of a faith healer trying to induce some improvement in his batting.

Once again, the players enjoyed considerable support off the field from friends and relatives and Terry Jackson, our infamous sponsor. We were spoiled for teas and could end up with a club full of Colin Milburns if the trend continues.  Brian Haylett ran a full program of social events which challenged many of those attending the early starts for the youth games on Sunday.

Sadly we lost two great friends during 2004. Jim Henderson, a stylish all rounder who played in the 1970s and Ken Lyons, who played in the same era and served for over 25 years as club treasurer passed away. They leave us with fond memories and are sadly missed.