Facing Surrey in the first Championship game of the season was always going to be a tough test.

With Surrey fielding ten Test Cricketers, and that is without Messrs Thorpe and Giddins, we knew we would need to call upon all our resolve, commitment and belief.

At stumps, on an emotional first day, with Surrey having won the toss, electing to bat and imposing a huge total of 460 for 4, we had been dealt a huge slice of reality. Welcome to Division One, fellas!

Give credit where credit is due, Surrey were magnificent in their approach and I would certainly expect to see them right up there come September.

It wasn't all bad news for us, though, and much can be learnt from our first appearance in the top flight.

Michael Yardy looks to be coming of age and Paul Hutchison appears like he has the ability to mature into a fine bowler.

Other key performances came from James Kirtley, under immense pressure to prove his new bowling action against class opposition. And to add to it the watchful eye of David Graveney.

He came through brilliantly bowling an excellent spell on the first morning, taking the wickets of Test openers Mark Butcher and Ian Ward. A resilient 34 with some sweep shots of the highest class rounded off a good game for Kirtley.

But for me the best news came from the bat of Tony Cottey. After an horrendous year spent out from injury to return and score a century in the first game is testament to his character and sets him up for a big season.

With preparation in the run-up to a county season often intense, with the need to be focussed and committed throughout essential, one position within the squad is vital to enable us to unwind and relax.

The post of social chairman has been held by Mark Robinson for five years and hand on heart nobody has given more to aid and assist the cause than Robbo.

It is with great sadness that he announced, having moved into the hierarchy, his retirement.

The search for a replacement would be one of extreme importance and a priority (almost as important as that of Chief Executive!).

Now any player or official fortunate to attend a Mark Robinson function will tell you that Robbo operated a very undemocratic policy.

So when we were summoned to a meeting to elect a new social chairman it came as no surprise to be told by Robbo that no one person could possibly follow in his footsteps and he had duly appointed a double act to replace him.

Enter our very own Laurel and Hardy, or to be exact Martin-Jenkins and Yardy. Champagne and beer springs to mind but I have a feeling they will prove an excellent pairing and I am quite sure I will have plenty to report on throughout the season. Good luck, fellas, you will need it!

Only one other serious issue to report and that is the form of 'father and son' double act in our pre-match touch rugby.

Both Tony Cottey and Tim Ambrose have been regular contenders for the LVP award (Least Valuable Player), scooping the illustrious prize at least twice each.

It has to be said Tim has obviously spent the winter watching Neighbours instead of Fox Sports (the Aussie equivalent of Sky) and if Cotts continues in his current vein of form he will be in serious danger of a call-up for next year's Six Nations (for his beloved Wales, of course). C'mon guys, pick it up!

I leave you with the Peter Moores quote of the week: "When a man wins he shows part of his character, when he loses he shows the whole of his character."

Saturday April 27