Merstham celebrate season at awards night

Fin Willsher took two player of the season awards as Merstham Cricket Club celebrated the end of another league season on September 3rd.

The teenager was awarded the third team's player of the year award as well as the Sunday development squad honour for his great performances and willingness to do tasks off the field, too.

The first team player of the season went to Noman Javed, an all rounder whose performances did much to ensure the team had a great season in the Fuller's League. Unfortunately, they just missed out on promotion, finishing third.

The second team's players of the year award went to club stalwart Jason Drewett for another strong year with the bat.

Young bowler James Campbell picked up the fourth team award. While he started in the fifth team and played a fair number of times for the fourth team, he reached the third team but was given the award for his potential and progress as much as his performances.

The fifth team award went to Harry Ogilvie, who topped the bowling and came third in the batting within the team's statistics as the team won the five-team league. This was the first time the club had entered a fifth team into a league.

The fact Merstham put out a sixth team once this season reflects the strength in numbers and enthusiasm for the game at the club.

Among several ladies and women to feature in the fifth (and sixth) team was Daisy Wicks (helping to beat Salfords in one match with 2-9), who collected the Ladies team bowler of the year award.

The Ladies became Surrey Women's SMASH IT champions over the bank holiday weekend on county finals day, showing the huge growth and talent of the female game at Merstham.

Most improved player of the year was given to Tanya Buckland, best fielder went to Rianna Patel, best bat went to captain Ali Rustige, while player of the year went to Amy Reeves who took "wickets for fun" and ended up with the best batting average.

The Sunday friendlies award went to Sai Bejwada for his wicket taking.

Noman Javed topped the batting averages of the Saturday teams but was only third top run scorer (557) behind Ben Jones (580) and Dan Kyte (640), a teenager who has slotted in seamlessly to the first team.

Javed was also in the top five catchers of the season with 12, in a list dominated by wicket keepers and won by club chairman and second team keeper Richard Feist (17 catches). Laurie Nicholson took 14.

Bill Ash received a special thank you for stepping in as umpire on various occasions, as did regular first team umpire Alex Gash.

Which just leaves the ducks award...

The winner plays so much cricket - Saturdays, Sundays and juniors - that a few ducks seem inevitable, if a little incongruous with his 580 runs in adult games. Nevertheless, Ben Jones was delighted with the quality of the trophy he take home to remind him of a generally great season.