Some of our junior members gave up their February half-term to help with developments at our second ground's clubhouse at The Ring.

Can you help local families in need by popping a few extra items in your shopping this week and supporting our monthly foodbank collection on Saturday 13th February?

Our January collection was our most popular yet. This seems no surprise when the Covid-19 pandemic has put extra pressure on people. Did you know there are more than 2,000 foodbanks now operating in the UK, (according to the Trussell Trust)?

Dear all

Cricket Tea with a difference RETURNS…..

After several successful collections in the summer, Merstham Cricket Club will be re-starting the popular Cricket Tea with a difference, once a month until we return to playing.

Members are kindly requested to note that, after the end of the season, the outdoor cricket nets at Merstham Cricket Club are not to be used for training over the winter.

Indoor nets are due to start up in January, for junior and senior members, and outdoor training is now over until April at the earliest. Members are requested to stay out of the nets during the winter months. Using the artificial surfaces in winter is not only dangerous as they are slippery, but hastens their wear and tear as they are not designed to be used at this time of year, and causes mess in the form of mud. Please respect your club, its equipment and the groundstaff who look after it, by refraining from using the outdoor nets in winter. Your co-operation is anticipated and appreciated.

And so, imagine my delight to attend Merstham Cricket Club on a warm September evening to witness the Merstham Magics regain the inter-club cup against the Merstham CC Girls' team.

Merstham Cricket Club have made history by sending out a Ladies team for the first time. We are now looking to build on this by recruiting more female players over the winter period. Anyone interested should get in touch with our chairman Richard Feist at retro_rich@hotmail.co.uk.

South Nutfield scored 150-5 in their 20 overs and Merstham scored 105-6. Below, Rachel Fisher reflects on the first match - and the preparations that went into it - against South Nutfield.

Merstham Cricket Club is delighted to welcome the Surrey team for the over 60s age group on Tuesday September 22, and then the Surrey disability team on Sunday September 27. Surrey Over 60s will host their counterparts from Kent on Tuesday from 1pm. The county's disability team, featuring some of our own disability squad members, will then host Essex the following Sunday, from 12 noon. Both games are at Quality Street. Merstham Cricket Club prides itself on being one where all players are welcome, regardless of age, gender or and ability, at junior or senior level. It is proud to run the "Magics", a squad of players with disabilities, who regularly enjoy not only training but matches at Quality Street. Spectators are welcome for both games. All visitors will be asked to follow the club's Covid-19 guidelines as outlined by the ECB.

Merstham Cricket Club's U14s took a fifth win this season yesterday evening, to remain unbeaten this season with two games left.

All matches this season have been friendlies and coach Dilhan Jayamanne is delighted that his youngsters have done so well. "They are all very good players - and that's what I tell them," he said. On Thursday night, Rowan Smith (21) and Matthew Gray (15 not out) helped Merstham set a total of 83, for visitors Dorking to chase. Dilhan's son Dinuk took three wickets in two overs but the star of the bowling was Connor T who took a fabulous five wickets in seven balls, including a hat-trick, as Dorking were out for 63. In previous weeks the team have beaten Salfords, Capel and Merstham Cricket Club's own U13s and U15s. Next week, they play Reigate Priory.

Merstham's U15 girls team enjoyed a great finish and victory at Cranleigh on Sunday. Merstham fielded six players against Cranleigh's 11 but their opponents allowed them to field two U12 boys and leant them two fielders, as well. Captain Lottie Burnett won the toss and chose to bowl. All five outfield players bowled four overs each. Rianna Patel and Orla Chavasse opened and restricted Cranleigh to two runs in the first two overs. Orla took a great clean bowled wicket, followed up by Hollie Jones with two more clean bowled to her name. Daisy Wicks and Rebecca Collins kept plugging away and in the end Cranleigh ended up on 103. Lottie and Orla opened the batting with a good positive start. Merstham lost Orla early on Rianna scored a couple of boundaries and was then bowled. Rebecca Collins came to the crease hitting the bowl to the boundary on numerous occasions but unfortunately fell trying to up the scoring rate. Hollie joined Lottie and and their running between the wickets was great pinching singles. Merstham lost Lottie who steered the side as a captain would do within touching distance of the 104 that was needed. In came Daisy Wicks, our top scorer, again scoring boundaries and nicking singles with Hollie. Hollie and Daisy played well and needed 21 off the last five overs. They both plugged away. The running was great and the scores were tied at the end of the 19th over. They both ran a bye on the second ball of the last over to give Merstham a much awaited win, ending a brilliant game.

• If you would like to take part in girls or women's cricket at Merstham, at any age group, please contact our club chairman Richard Feist on retro_rich@hotmail.co.uk or on 07896114068, or our juniors co-ordinator Jon Dean jonmdean59@gmail.com, 07958 797270