We’re heading into the final couple of weeks of what has been a really enjoyable season for the First XI, and the last two matches have given us a couple of performances that are definitely worth celebrating.

First up was Reece Hoare against Alton 3rd XI at Parsonage Meadow. With the game nicely balanced, Reece played a brilliant innings of 112 not out from just 72 balls, including 10 fours and six sixes.

It was exactly the sort of innings we needed at that point in the game. He was really well supported by Richard Osmond, and together they put us into a strong position before the rest of the team helped finish off a very good all-round performance and an important win.

Then last weekend it was Sam Dancer’s turn, this time with the ball against Sherfield-on-Loddon.

Sam finished with the remarkable figures of six wickets for just seven runs. At one stage he took five wickets in 10 balls without conceding a single run, completely stopping the momentum Sherfield had been building.

It was a spell that changed the shape of the game. It kept their total down and left us with a very chaseable target, which the batting side were then able to go out and get to complete another excellent team performance.

Reece and Sam’s performances obviously stand out, but they also sum up what has been so enjoyable about this season. We’ve had different people contributing at different times, and the last two matches have been great examples of the whole team coming together when it matters.

And now, with just two games left, there is still everything to play for. We sit second in the league with a real opportunity for promotion and, depending on results, the possibility of going one better and finishing top.

This weekend we play Oakley, who currently sit third, so it has all the makings of a promotion decider and a really important game for both sides.

It’s great to be heading into the final two matches with so much still on the line. Two great matches, two outstanding individual performances and, most importantly, two really good team efforts have put us in this position.

Now we just need to see what the final two games bring…