Merstham 3rd X1 League Report - Season 2009

Merstham 3rd X1 had their best season ever in the Fullers league securing runners up spot and promotion to the Surrey championship.

May saw the third X1 record four straight wins in their opening games with comfortable victories over Staines, Guildford, Woking and Ripley and sit proudly at the top of the league.

With two defeats in 3 games in June it was clear that the team needed to refocus going into July and it did just that winning another 3 games on the bounce against Wallington, Woodmansterne and West End Esher.

This was to set up a fantastic final month to the season with Old tiffs, Staines and Guildford all recording victories on a regular basis.

Unfortunately rain forced the abandonment of the game against bottom placed Frimley and these dropped points saw Merstham fall of the pace at the top of the league with Old tiffs and Staines both playing and securing victories that weekend.

A win against Weybridge vandals was to setup a hugely anticipated game against old tiffs, who having been bowled out for 166 put in a creditable performance with the ball to win the game by 58 runs.

Focus was now on securing 2nd place and a much deserved promotion and with a concession from Camberley on the final game of the season this was achieved.

Having played 14 games the 3rds secured 9 wins, 3 defeats and 2 games were abandoned /conceded. The absence of any drawn games clearly demonstrated the positive way in which this team played their cricket and it was credit to the players who stepped up to the mark to put in some match winning performances.

There were fantastic performances and contributions from all of the players that represented the 3rds this year.

With the bat Ameer Pasha 279 runs (Avg 34.88), Rob Young 248 runs (31.00), Kashif Noon 207 (20.7) and Omar Shuja 183 runs (22.88) all contributed to ensure that full batting points were picked up on a regular basis and run chases successfully met.

With the ball Ameer Pasha 23 wickets (Avg 5.22) capped off an exceptional season for himself along with the returning Adeel Ahmed 21 wickets (8.48) and Safyan Aslam 17 wickets (13.71). The depth in the Merstham attack regularly ensured teams were bowled out and some key victories completed this season.

In the field a special mention should go to Ian McGillivray whose accurate bowling was backed up with some exceptional fielding and catching - an example to everyone in the team.

The depth and ability in this Merstham team was clearly reflective of the amount of training, commitment and enthusiasm shown by the players and a special thanks should go to vice captain Rob Young for the many hours of coaching and support he has put in with team, and new captain John Young whose confident and positive attitude brought about the success that this team had shown glimpses of in previous seasons.

Well done to everyone and we look forward to continued success into 2010!