Here we find our ourselves at the end of another season, and first of all I’d like to thank everyone who gave up their Sundays to help out. Players, umpires, tea ladies and gents, spouses, partners and family members – it says a lot for the club in its current state, and I am proud to look over from the pitch at 5.30 on a Sunday to see so many friendly faces come down to watch and have a drink.
In keeping with last season, this year was an eclectic mix of results – however one of the best parts for me was that two or three times, we got two Sunday games going. The club is going the right way, if we are managing to field 66 players a weekend, amidst 4 Saturday teams and 2 Sunday teams. Long may it continue.
On to the season itself, the old faces continued to show up; Godfrey continued to promise to play a game, and Big John continued to refuse to buy a new shirt, and we continued to field a Frenchman, probably the only club in Surrey. Hamza and Amrik continued to provide an ever-reliable backbone to selection, and for another year running, two Annables, and two Dixons took to the field, as metronomic as ever.
Overall, it was a mixed bag of results, getting off to a flyer before some tougher matches. When we weren’t hosting some cup games or Surrey Trust games, the old enemies continue to want to play on the green and some new teams as well.
After the first half of the first game, I thought we were in for a whirlwind – Mike 51, Max 46, Hamza and I hundreds – 335 was a mammoth effort. If you can believe it, we only won by 10 runs with one batsman getting 186* – in truth we dropped in 9 times (that’s not an exaggeration, it was 9). I wasn’t sure I could face a season like that. I honestly thought I was going to be the captain who could not defend 335!
Another superb highlight of the season must be Max Newbold’s 161* against Richmond Nomads, batting from ball 1 to 240 – in which he and Mike, who also got 100+, put on 218 for the first wicket.
A decisive point in this season – we beat our touring side, Shobrooke Park by 20 odd runs in a thrilling encounter. Not so thrilling as stumpy, which we took even more seriously, with Mr Pretorius securing the winning run.
From then on, results sort of went up and down, unusual looking back at our usual record. However playing some new teams and some reinforced teams meant a few more challenges this year, and ones we welcome next year.
To retouch on people giving up their Sundays, once again selection and availability has been a challenge for all the right reasons. We fielded 40 players this season, and more often than not, had to turn down willing participants due to oversubscription. I would like to thank every player personally for their commitment, as it makes the job so much easier for me, as well as the other captains.
A few key stats and milestones
- There were 7 centuries this year, and 7 half-centuries
- 8 batsman averaged over 50 for the Sunday
- There were 2 five-wicket hauls, but generally wickets were shared
- For the first time ever, we left a game without staying for a drink OR paying, under the captaincy of Nic Corvi. A controversial point which may stick with him for quite a few years.
Sunday Player of the Year
In a sparkling evening at the club, where we drank the bar dry, the award for Sunday Player of the Year was awarded to Amrik Natt. Leading the fielding with5 catches and 3 run outs, he was 7th in the run with an average of 92, and 3rd in the bowling stats with 9 wickets.
This is only on the pitch. Off the pitch he helps run the bar, set things up, and is an over ambassador for dedication to the club. The Sunday player of the year for 2018 was Amrik Natt.
On a final note, it has been my privilege to captain the side for another year and to see the team go from strength to strength. It is fundamental in introducing our younger players to adult cricket, and also in getting our batsmen, bowlers and fielders practice. I hope next season is as successful as those previous.
JA
Jonny Annable,
Sunday Captain