First team pick up third prize at newspaper awards night

Merstham Cricket Club's first team came third tonight in the Surrey Mirror/Dorking Advertiser sports award team of the year section.

The first team were entered in the category last October after their fantastic achievement in their 150th year of winning 15 of 18 matches in the Fuller's League Division Two, earning the title and promotion.

Naveed Saeed's were one of nine teams shortlisted for the award. After the public were asked to vote, the top three were invited to the awards evening at the Harlequin Theatre, Redhill, where the winners, runners-up and third place were announced.

The winners of the category were Ashtead Cricket Club, who were runners-up in the national club Twenty20 competition, reaching the final in a competition which began with 800 teams. Runners-up were Reigate Priory Cricket Club, the Surrey Championship winners last year.

A club spokesman said: "We might not have won tonight, but it is really fantastic that our first team's achievement has been recognised and brought to the attention of a wide audience. We have done really well to come third across the Redhill, Reigate and Mole Valley area which covers a large number of teams.

"Our first team did a brilliant job in securing promotion last season and, with some very talented cricketers in their midst, we look forward to them attempting to make it a second promotion in a row this summer."

Representing the first team (pictured) are Sue David (scorer) Naveed Saeed (captain), Chris Clayson (treasurer and first team player) and Sue's husband Harry David