'I am Ben Stokes': Merstham Magics v YMCA

Few teams can practise more often that the Merstham Magics, the club's disability team. Every week, winter and summer, they put in the effort under Dan Feist's careful guidance. So, when the chance of a match comes along, they are always ready and eager.

On Friday July 19, the Magics hosted a match against YMCA. This is held annually and is always a lively (and very noisy) fixture which is played with huge enthusiasm and goodwill on both sides.

This year, the perennial curse of British summers - rain - nearly stopped us as it had drizzled constantly all day. However, having brought everyone together at 6.30pm, the rain seemed to have stopped at about ten to seven and gave the respite in which we could play.

What was special about this match was that here was a group of young players, many with serious disabilities, who were experiencing the thrill of playing in a competitive environment and showing skills that they didn't know they had. One young lad walloped his first ball past the fielders, over the boundary rope, then leaped in the air and shouted above the cheers of his supporters, "I am Ben Stokes!" Moments like that last a lifetime.

After YMCA, the Magics had their turn to bat and the scores kept in step most of the way. By the time it came to the last over, the Magics needed only four runs to win, but they were held back by a string of dot balls. It wasn't until the last ball that the Magics batsman was able to drive the ball to the boundary to win the match by a single run.

Both teams had occasion to celebrate as every player had entered completely into the spirit of the game and had enjoyed the experience. A worthy collection of parents and carers applauded both sides and they all tucked into the barbecue before the rain started again.

Bring on next year's match.

Chris Roulston