FOOTBALL: WHEN Alan Dowson agreed to become Woking’s new manager last month, he was under no illusion of the enormity of the task ahead.

However, news of Dagenham & Redbridge’s well-documented financial difficulties could leave Dowse with a challenge that even he didn’t expect if Woking are given a reprieve from relegation to the National League South.

The Daggers, who eventually finished 11th in the National League last season, have launched an online appeal to raise more than £110,000 to ensure their survival in the absence of a rich benefactor.

For the full story, and news about Knaphill FC and Sheerwater see the 7 June edition

CRICKET: CHOBHAM pushed unbeaten Woodmansterne hard at home last Saturday in their Division Two clash, but narrowly missed out on 20 points.

Chobham won the toss and put their visitors into bat first. The decision to field was soon vindicated when Woodmansterne lost three early wickets for a miserly total of 15 runs, with Matt Joyce, Robert Hicks and Aaron Wells all succumbing to some fine deliveries from Sam Braid.

Braid set the early pace and went on to become the pick of the Chobham bowlers, registering an impressive 4-22.

Ryan Crawley

For the full story and more cricket coverage, including Old Woking, Ripley and Valley End, see the 7 June edition

TENNIS: WITH the Wimbledon grand slam tournament just four weeks away, you would expect to see the tennis courts in regular use, but they’re not.

Despite being one of the most followed sports in the UK, along with football, athletics and rugby, the number of adults participating in the tennis has reportedly declined by 25% in the last decade.

In a bid to encourage more adults to take up the game, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) is ready to invest £125million, with much of the money destined for public courts across the country.

For the full story and more photos, see the 7 June edition

ATHLETICS: ORANGE was the colour of the day when Woking Athletic Club hosted the second race meeting in the Wessex League last Sunday.

Competitors from under-11 right the way up to under-17 were out in force at the Sheerwater track, as Woking looked to continue their run of good form.

There were notable performances from academy graduates Matthew Smith and Hayden Christian in the under-13 age category.

Izzy Leikis

For the full story and more photos, see the 7 June edition

HOCKEY: FOLLOWING their championship winning success in the South Hockey League Hampshire / Surrey Regional 1, Woking Men’s 1s still don’t know who they will be playing next season.

In previous years, winners of the Hampshire / Surrey – Regional 1 league would be promoted into the Premier 2.

For the full story, see the 7 June edition

FOOTBALL: WOKING manager Alan “Dowse” Dowson has insinuated that he will read the “riot act” to any player looking to join the club in return for a cash-bonanza.

The former Hampton & Richmond boss, who guided The Beavers to the National League South play-off final on, reportedly, a shoe-string budget, knows that there are plenty of players in non-league football who are solely influenced by the colour of money.

Speaking to the News & Mail, Dowse said: “The money side of things is becoming more of an issue within the game, and not just at the top level.

For the full article, see the 31 May edition.

More football reports this week: Giuseppe Sole testimonial back on; Reprieve for Sheers; Cleen sweep for Knappers; Ex-Cards star dies; Harry Arter in line for big club move.

RUGBY: WOKING weren’t to be upstaged at this year’s Surrey Rugby awards after collecting two trophies.

It’s been a season like no other for the Byfleet-based club, which saw both the first and second XV’s win their respective league titles without losing a single game.

Long-serving second row Jon Hursthouse, in the absence of first XV captain Michael Aitchison, was first up to receive Woking’s Surrey 4 trophy from former Harlequins and England number 8 Nick Easter, who was born in Epsom.

For the full report, see the 31 May edition

CRICKET: SOME things in sport are best forgotten – and Ripley’s dismal batting display against Effingham will be one of them.

It was Ripley’s second defeat in as many weeks, as Ben Scott’s side were bowled out for just 66.

The R’s captain, who had averaged 91 runs from his previous two innings, surprisingly went for just one, as the visitors fell like dominos.

For the full match report, see the 31 May edition

More cricket reports this week on Old Woking, Woking & Horsell, Byfleet, Pirbright, Chobham and Ottershaw & Hamm Moor.

Also, cricket scorecards, league tables and fixtures

ATHLETICS: WOKING Athletic Club’s seniors were back in action in their second Youth Development (Upper) League meeting at Kingston upon Thames last Sunday.

The performance of the day came in the under-17 men’s 200m, with Dominic Ariyo Francis coming home in a new National Grade 1 personal best (pb) time 22.4secs, which ranks him 13^th in the country.

In the under-17 women’s 1,500m steeple-chase, Martha Collings set a new pb time, that may be good enough to make the Surrey team.

For the full report, see the 31 May edition

SWIMMING: WOKING Swimming Club’s under-14’s travelled to the K2 in Crawley last Saturday to compete in the South East Regional Championships.

Zoe Ryan, 13, who deserved a medal for having qualified for a staggering 11 events alone, reached the final in the individual medley (IM), before coming seventh overall.

Fourteen-year-old Daniel Jansen was also on great form, recording a personal best (pb) time in both the 50m and 100m freestyle events. He finished seventh in the 50m final.

For the full report, see the 31 May edition