Threesy does it: Laurie Nicholson picks up one of three awards from Richard Feist

First team captain Nav Saeed said at Merstham's players awards night on Saturday that he thought the club’s historic rise to the Surrey Championship could be just the beginning of more success.

Merstham’s first team were confirmed as Fuller’s Brewery League Premier Division Champions that day, after their game with Old Tenisonians was abandoned in the second innings, as was the game between Merrow and SinjunGrammarians. That meant Merstham stayed above Merrow, who were the only team who could have beaten them to the title.

Both teams were promoted to the Surrey Championship, with Saeed delighted to have claimed a third successive league title after winning the second and then first division titles in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

He's my main man: Arsalan Abass received the first team player of the year from Nav Saeed

“In our 152 year history, we’ve never played in the Surrey Championship at first team level and now we’ve got the opportunity, so I’d like to say a big ‘thank you’ to the first team.

“There’s a lot more to come from this club. We have a young side and it’s a great club to play for. I want to continue this success for years to come.”

'More to come' says Nav Saeed

Merstham only lost a handful of games all season, but only went to the top of the division after victory in the penultimate game.

Saeed praised this season's new recruits, including Sunny Bowry, Assad Naeem and Damian Barnett, who had “fitted in perfectly”. He also hailed opening batsmen Arsalan Abass and Joe Shinners and two players who had been recruited via the third team, Ben Baker and Lauire Nicholson.

“I’m very proud to have them in the first team,” said Saeed.

He added that every player had played their part, including 38-wicket pace bowler Sulliman Younis who had put “fear” into opponents with his pace and aggression.

He reserved special praise for his choice as first team player of the year - Abass - a player whom Saeed said he had watched “grow” as a cricketer during Abass's six years in the team.

“He’s one of the best fielders I’ve seen, he also bowls and the innings he played at Merrow is one of the best performances I’ve ever seen,” said the skipper.

The second team were also promoted as champions for the second year running, with Saeed teasing club captain and second team skipper Richard Feist: “Let me know when you win three in a row!”

Feist led his men to the Surrey Championship 2nd XI Division 5 title. The team only lost three games and Imran Aslan was given player of the year.

Mark Robson, captain of the third team, had asked his squad's players to each email him a recommendation for player of the year - only to find that each player in his squad received a nomination (no, they weren’t allowed to vote for themselves!). It didn’t make his choice any easier after a fantastic and enjoyable season, finishing third in their league.

Robson and vice captain Ben Carter eventually concluded that the award should go to Ben Snelling.

It's a toughie: Mark Robson struggled to narrow it down to one player of the year

For the fourth XI, the choice was equally difficult for skipper Ian Lamont. But a tight decision went to Omer Shuja, for his all round cricketing contribution. This was narrowly ahead of promising youngster Hamza Ali who had performed well with the ball as well as the bat.

It was also fantastic to have the likes of John Young return to the club and to welcome new players such as Gopa Nair, an excellent bowler, and Dilhan Jayamanne, who contributed well with bat and ball.

Nicholson - who scored a club record 162 in one match at The Ring for the third team - picked up three awards. He was Sunday Development XI player of the year and took the club's top run scorer (810) and top average run scorer (47.4) awards.

A Laurie load of awards: Nicholson with two of his three honours

Second team wicketkeeper Neil Mapledon picked up the award for most catches (18) and Safyan Aslam the award for most wickets (40).

The Sunday second team player of the year went to “The Dads”, with captain Bill Ash splitting the honour. No fewer than 11 father/son combinations had taken part in matches during the season. Neil Maplesdon picked up the award on behalf of “The Dads”.

Safe pair of hands: king of the catchers Neil Maplesdon also took home the Sunday 2nd XI player of the year trophy on behalf of the "dads", presented by Bill Ash

Club captain Richard Feist received the Periam Cup, given in honour of a member who has contributed outstanding service to the club during the year. He was handed the cup by treasurer Chris Clayson, who won the cup last year.

Chris Clayson about to present Richard Feist with the Periam Cup

The first and second teams will pick up their league trophies at league awards dinners in the next few weeks.