Once again our juniors have enjoyed a happy, if wet season, losing three training sessions to rain. We had 89 registrations and enjoyed a 6:1 player/coach ratio on average throughout the season. We entered teams in the East Surrey Colts League at under 9,10,11,13,14 and 15 levels and for the first time we participated in the Surrey Trust Development League in which six players must be under the age of 18, out of which four must be under 16.

We held winter net sessions for the older juniors and the following players were selected for the Russell Haigh Bursary at the Surrey Cricket Centre -Tom Quigley, James Bennett, Andrew Kehl, Will Roberts, Alex Miller, Dylan Peters, Jose de Castro and Matt Clarke. We held a presentation evening in May. Congratulations to Marley Bygrave who played for Surrey U10s and to the eight other players who represented Surrey Central District.

(Winter nets and the under 9s receiving their trophies)

(Alec Stewart giving the Scrumpy Jack Master Class to some of our juniors)

Richard Hall, Surrey Community Coach, came to two of our training sessions and conducted Master Bowling Classes for the under 11s and 13s and Andy Meads demonstrated the finer points of the square cut until the rains came. Here is Richard presenting coaches, Matt Dilger and Craig Jones, with tickets to the Oval.

In August we took a group to Whitgift School by coach to see the Surrey v Glamorgan NatWest Pro 40 match where we saw Surrey lose to Derbyshire in a real run feast and a group of adults and juniors saw the Surrey v Glamorgan game at the Oval, thanks to free tickets we obtained due to our participation in the NatWest Cricket Force 2009 initiative at the beginning of the season. We had a very exciting day when the Centurion Cricket Academy from Mumbai played our juniors, aged between 13-18, in a 40 over match. Everything was going well, we bowled anf fielded excellently and had a good start until their skipper, Youvraj, came on with his leg spin. We were tumbled all out for 118 but it was a great experience for our team who had never seen bowling of that class before.

(The Centurion Cricket Academy from Mumbai)

(and the group at Whitgift School)

We expanded our links with the local schools and held ‘introduction to cricket’ courses at Newdigate Infants School for the third consecutive year (see picture below), the Weald Junior School for the second year and new this season was St John’s Community School in Dorking. We encourage the students to join a cricket club nearest to them but of course especially Newdigate!

Here is a review of each team:

Under 9s – Mike Quigley, Barry Jordan, Matt Dilger and Chris Fox

This was a very young group and they really struggled in the league losing every game and coming bottom. However, as one parent pointed out, there had been much improvement as the season progressed and they were never downhearted. We expect next season to be much easier as they will have gained from their experiences and they will be playing against opposition of a similar age. It wsa good to see a number of girls regularly attending training sessions.

Under 10s – John Callcut

It was decided to enter a team in this league as the under 11 age group was so large and we anticipated that a lot of players would not get a game. It worked really well and despite using the principal of ‘trying to give everyone a game’ the team did remarkably well in coming fourth out of ten teams, just tucking in behind the leaders. I soon got to know this group and I was particularly impressed with their keeness and team spirit and sheer love of the game. This was exemplified when the Southern Rail & Kenley umpire called all the players together after the match and congratulated them upon their ability and sportsmanship.

Under 11s – Andrew Major, Paul Griffiths, Chris Ball and Charlie Major

For most of the season this side was unbeaten and looked as if the league and cup were both in their grasp. The final league match against Lingfield saw both teams level on points, although Newdigate was unbeaten and Lingfield had lost two matches. This was due to the fact that Newdigate had lost games to the weather. In the event Lingfield completely outplayed us and we had to settle for second place. In the cup we fielded a weakened side due to holidays, again it was against Lingfield, and we lost a hard fought semi-final. This is a very good side with lots of talented players.

Under 13s – Dev Patel, Craig Jones, Richard Callcut

Last year the under 13s won the cup but that success was not to be repeated as we had to field weakened sides and did not progress beyond the group stage. It was a mixed season but the team did well in finishing joint third behind powerful Caterham and Oxted & Limpsfield teams. They did extremely well to retain their division one status and the coaches were gratified to see the progress made by a number of the newer players.

Under 14s – Richard Callcut

This side was entered into the league because the under 15 group was large and also there was a genuine desire by last years under 13 team to still play together. In the event they played extremely well and became joint champions with Southern Rail & Kenley losing only one match all season to Merstham.

Under 15s – John Callcut & Ruky Wickremasinghe

This was a disappointing season with four matches being lost to the rain or conceded but the team came third behind very strong Reigate Priory and Horley sides. The highlight of the season was a magnificent last minute win against Merstham when Jordan Morris smote the ball mightily to gain the win. In the cup we won one game, lost another when we fielded a depleted side and had one game rained off, resulting in us not qualifying. It was very gratifying to see many of the team playing senior cricket on Saturday and Sundays with Matt Clarke scoring 300 runs for the first team in the Surrey Downs League. I expect to see many of these players pushing for senior positions next year.

Surrey Trust Development League – Ruky Wickremasinghe

When we entered this league we were told that we would probably lose all our matches but not to worry as it would be a good experience. When we travelled to Normandy for the final game on a wet and windy afternoon we just needed this win to become champions! However, it was not to be as we were comprehensively outplayed and in the end we had to settle on fourth place. We had excellent wins over Camberley and Lingfield and narrowly lost to Guildford City and Merrow so the boys can hold their heads up high and look forward to next season with much anticipation. Ruky Wickremasinghe, who skippered the side, made it a policy to give as many junior players a game, who he considered were of the required standard. This action is to be applauded and they will have gained from the experience. Here is the team resplendent in their coloured clothing sponsored by Kuoni Travel.

Many players have been outstanding this season and I have deliberately only mentioned a couple of names for fear of leaving someone out. But well done, you have been a credit to the good name of the club.

I would like to thank all our dedicated coaches, without whom this would not be possible and also to all the parents for scoring and their general support throughout the season.

One last memory of a wet season – the under 10s against South Nutfield (marquee thanks to the generosity of the Miller family)

John Callcut – August 2009