Our first two matches were lost to rain and so our first competition was the home match against the Isle of Wight, which we won comfortably. Penetrative bowling by the experienced Radhika Kapur and Alice Hart and by newcomer Becky Rainford ensured the win despite a weak batting display. We then followed this with two away games against Essex and Surrey, both of which we lost. Radhika Kapur continued to show her prowess with the ball and the batting showed promise with Maddy Meacher and Raveena Lakhtaria both putting good innings together.

We won at Hertfordshire with Becky Rainford leading the way with the bat ably supported by youngster Sophie Behan. Once again Radhika led a fine bowling display with Becky Rainford, Raveen Lakhtaria, Lydia Warner and Naomi Dattani all picking up wickets. The trip to Kent produced a fine match with the result in doubt until the end. Batting contributions from Raveena Lakhtaria, Naomi Dattani, Maddy Meacher and Harriett Potter ensured a close finish with Raveena and Maddy also taking the plaudits in the bowling.

Our next match was the home game against Essex, who once again proved they are currently the best U11 side around. A superb innings from Madeleine Gardner was not enough to threaten Essex's total. Louisa Treadwell's innings led the way to victory over Sussex. The bowling was consistently excellent with 10 year old Evie Patel taking her first competitive wicket.

The final two home matches against strong Surrey and Kent sides both ended in defeat, despite the hard fight put up by the girls.

It is pleasing to see the more experienced players like Radhika Kapur, Raveena Lakhtaria and Maddy Meacher helping the youngsters such as Maddy Austin, Sophie Behan, Ella Jackson, Katie Chapman, Evie Patel and Zoe Thompson. It was particularly encouraging to see their confidence growing with each match they played. Other players found a niche for themselves with girls such as Lydia Warner and Emma Benton excelling at wicket keeping.

Thirteen girls contributed with wickets this year but the award went to someone who started the season taking wickets and continued in the same way throughout. The only girl to take more than 10 wickets and with an average below 10; The Bowling Award went to Radhika Kapur

The Batting Award was exceptionally difficult with three girls with aggregate scores within 2 of each other having been dismissed the same number of times. Coming out on top by the narrowest of margins was Becky Rainford

The Manager's award was extremely close. Both girls in the running were close to winning the batting award, both contributed with the ball, their fielding was an example to the others, and between them they shouldered most of the captaincy duties. The Managers award went to Raveena Lakhtaria and Maddy Meacher.

Thanks to Managers Raj Lakhtaria and Sanjai Kapur for their efforts in 2004. Without them the season would not have been so successful or run so smoothly. I hope that they will continue to be part of the support for Ashley and Veronica in 2005.

We had a very young and inexperienced team, but the quantity, quality and youth of girls emerging in this age group provides us with hope and enthusiasm. The girls' obvious enjoyment of their cricket and the spirit in which they played the game were a pleasure to witness. The support of parents was brilliant and better co-ordination should ensure that Middlesex continue to be a competitive County in future years.