U12s Tour of Kent
During the May half term, the Merstham U12s embarked on an exciting tour to Kent—an adventure full of cricket, team bonding, and memorable moments. Some families stayed in the area, while others joined the group for the day, creating a brilliant mix of commitment and camaraderie.
Tuesday began with a meet-up at Claremont School for an indoor nets session. With rain falling outside, this turned out to be the perfect solution to kick off the tour. Unfortunately, our scheduled afternoon match against Tenterden CC had to be cancelled due to the wet weather. But spirits remained high as the team gathered for a lively evening curry in Tenterden, where Coach Pat hosted a fun-filled quiz that kept everyone entertained.
On Wednesday, the sun finally made an appearance, and we made our way to Rolvenden CC for a much-anticipated parents vs. children match. In classic fashion, the kids came out on top—and rightfully so! The match was played in great spirit and laughter. The day continued with a visit to Ashford for a World War II-style lazer tag session, which ended up being even more exciting as we had the entire venue to ourselves. Afterward, we returned to Rolvenden for an early dinner at The Bull Inn, with the kids seizing another opportunity for some bonus cricket on the green next door.
Thursday kicked off with a morning training session focused on fielding skills. Once sharpened up, we all headed to the seaside town of Rye for a classic fish and chip lunch. This set the scene for our final tour match, hosted by the welcoming team at Rye CC. The match was a highlight of the tour, played in excellent spirit and followed by a fantastic homemade tea, complete with sandwiches and cakes. Friendships were quickly formed, and we’re thrilled that Rye CC have already invited us back for next year.
Despite the early weather challenges, the U12s had an unforgettable time in Kent. With strong links now formed with both Tenterden and Rye cricket clubs, we’re hopeful for a rematch over the summer—and we’re already looking forward to next year’s tour!