Strong and stable U9s head for class with group co-leaders

Picture: Catch the second team in action at Quality Street on Saturday afternoon

Merstham’s U9 side maintained their winning run as they beat Felbridge & Sunnyside last weekend at Quality Street, giving them six wins from six as they went into today's game with similarly unbeaten Southern Railway, Kenley and Selsdon, also at home.

Batting first, Merstham’s Alec Baker (6) and Oliver White (20) provided strong and stable leadership with an opening partnership of 33.

Steady scoring through the middle order, with many runs and not a few, provided a good platform for Dylan Kenny (10) and James Barkwith (10) to accelerate the scoring.

Charlie Halford-Nicholls (13) and Travis Bateman (9) then proved themselves a coalition of chaos with some big hitting at the end, putting on 26 for the final pair. Merstham finished on 314-5.

Excellent bowling throughout by the Merstham attack restricted the opposition scoring, with James, Priyan Upadhay and William Blair all claiming two wickets each, aided by some good catching and Dylan’s excellent wicket keeping. Felbridge closed on 232-11, leaving Merstham with a clear majority.

Merstham have now won all six of their league matches, and are sure to qualify for the play-offs at the end of the season. Today's clash with Southern Railway will decide who comes first or second in the initial group.

We were able to field a second U9 side this weekend, who unfortunately lost against a very strong Horley side, but they all enjoyed it. Well done to Aden Hack for top scoring with Theo Webster close behind. Daisy Wicks made her debut and did very well batting with her brother, Oliver at the end. Oliver also claimed two wickets, with Max Lewis also getting one.

Well done to all the U9s who played last weekend.

* Today's junior game will be followed by the Saturday adult second team match at home to Ewell.