Richard Feist was elected the club's new chairman at the annual general meeting, as Graeme Attridge stepped down after a decade in the post.

Feist steps up from vice chairman, with Jason Drewett stepping in to fill that position.   With the pair being also second team captain and vice captain, they already have a close working relationship and are likely to be one of the few duos on the committee of a club in Surrey who are still active playing members.   Graeme will continue as bar manager and as safeguarding lead. On stepping down, Graeme, who has fulfilled many roles at the club on and off the field, was afforded the honour of being elected a vice president of the club.    This  honour was also given to Mike Griffin, who will be known to anyone who has been welcomed to the club over the years and who carries out many odd jobs at the club's two pitches, Quality Street and The Ring.   Annual subscription rates were kept at the same rates and registration is now open.   Jon Dean became junior co-ordinator and Richard will be now looking for people to fill various roles, from membership secretary to social secretary.   The death of Ben Egerton, one of the members of the disability squad, was announced. The funeral will take place on January 24, 12pm at St Mary's Church, Reigate. After a private family committal the family will welcome those who wish to celebrate Ben's life at Reigate Manor Hotel from 2pm.     Annual nets, for juniors and seniors, start this weekend at St Bede's.

Registration for the 2019 season is now open. You should fill in the registration form each year to ensure we have the latest details for you and to review your mailing list options.

Payments can be made in the all the usual ways, including setting up a direct debit over up to 10 months to spread the cost (the last payment must be taken in November, so the earlier you register the longer you can spread payments). If possible, please use one of the electronic methods (direct debit, bank transfer, credit/debit card or PayPal) of payment as it is easier for our treasuer to reconcile.

  Are you (or your child) looking to make it a Happy New Year by playing cricket in 2019 - at one of the most picturesque grounds in Surrey?   Then why not enquire about coming to our winter net sessions? These start on the weekend of 26th and 27th January and will be at the Sports Centre at St Bede's School, Carlton Road Redhill.   There will be 10 weeks of nets, with the last sessions on the weekend of 30th/31st March.     Existing members are welcome. Prospective junior team members should contact the relevant age group manager as listed on the colts managers page.   Prospective adult members can contact club captain Richard Feist, or turn up at the designated time to find out how to be a part of the club's four Saturday teams playing in the Surrey Championship, or two Sunday teams playing either friendlies or development league cricket.   We also have opportunities for girls - contact our club captain for details.     Saturday   Under 9 2-3pm Under 10 3-4pm Under 11 4-5pm Under 12 5-6pm Sunday   Under 15 - Adults 12.30 - 2pm Under 13 2-3pm Under 14 3-4pm

In accordance with the club's constitution, notice is given to all members that The Annual General Meeting of Merstham Cricket Club will be held on Tuesday 15th January 2019 at The Pavilion, Quality Street, Merstham at 8pm.

 

After a long summer break, the Merstham Falcons turned out on a beautiful early September morning at Quality Street to face Banstead in the U14 ESCL cup final. Banstead captain Adam Foreshaw won the toss and elected to field and Merstham’s openers, Aditya Chougule and Ed Cecil took to the crease.

Initial progress was slow, continuing in the batting pattern the team has followed all season and the first wicket of Cecil fell for 13 runs with the score on 21-1, bowled by Samuel Stracey. The new batsman Matt Retter, who’s had a fantastic season with both bat and ball arrived to partner Chougule.

Asim Jafferi was crowned Merstham first team's player of the year on Saturday at the club's players' awards night.

Captain Laurie Nicholson said it was a close run thing, especially up against Noman Javed who had claimed the award for the past two years. He also commended others for their contributions including Ben Baker, Ed Dawson and Andy Rivers, as well as returning faces George Neal and Gus Locke for their huge contributions.   The second team player of the year, chosen by captain Richard Feist, was Mohsin Ali whose 22 wickets helped keep the team in the division.   James Lowe's choice for the third team was Callum Letts, who as an opening bowler had been "unplayable" in spells, while Gopa Nair's choice for the fourth team was wicketkeeper Rob Wood, whose batting tally came second only to the skipper this year.   The Sunday first team player of the year was shared between George Chellis and Fergus Carrick, while Michael Pitcher's choice for the Sunday second team was Tony Rickards for his advice to the first-time captain.   Anthony Maplesden picked up U16s player of the year as his team showed off their shield for winning their league.   Club stalwart Mike Griffin was re-presented with his certificate from the Surrey OSCAs, as runner-up for the Heartbeat of the Club category.   Groundsmen Bernard Feist and Bob McGilvray were thanked for their sterling efforts in a difficult season, weather wise, in the enduring heat and given a meal out with their wives.   Chellis took the runs award, scoring 803 during the season, ahead of next best Nicholson on 766.   Jafferi and Javed shared the most wickets trophy with 37 apiece, one ahead of Imran Aslam, while Dawson topped the catches table with 18.   The only non-wicketkeeper on the list of the top five was Rickards with 10 - but he did pick up another "most of" award, being the unfortunate recipient of the most ducks award with seven.    This year the prize was a big rubber duck. He did play rather a larger number of matches than many, and just so he doesn't feel alone, those presented with smaller ducks for their (ice) baths were Alvin Sathey (6), Sunny Bowry and Matt Greaves (4) and Matt Hill and Ian Lamont (3).   Thank you to Harry David for the photos, and Harry David and Sathey Kumar for the food on the night.  

Come and celebrate the season at this year's annual dinner dance, which will take place on Friday October 5 at Chipstead Golf Club, from 7.30pm to midnight.

One of Merstham two Under 14 sides, the Falcons, are looking forward to their East Surrey Colts League Cup Final - and would love your support on their big day!

It couldn't be easier - the match is scheduled at Quality Street for 10am on Monday, September 3, just a couple of days before school term starts. So, reschedule the shopping for school uniforms to another time and come and support the lads!   We hope as many of you as possible - particularly junior members - will be able to come down and cheer them on against Banstead. This is a great achievement not only for them but for Jack Letts, in his first year as coach.

Report by Clyde Jeavons

How does it feel to score your maiden century at the age of 76? 

With such a low total, Merstham had little answer to Horsley’s 10.4 over spell, with only Merstham top wicket taker with 33 Noman Javed (1-33) taking a wicket, bowling Luke Trimming for a duck at 13-1.

The second team took a giant step to safety in their six-way relegation battle, dismissing Addiscombe for 133 having set them a target of 170. The result lifts them to third from bottom in the scrap to avoid the second relegation spot, 22 points covering those teams. They play second-bottom Sinjungrammarians next.