Surrey Championship Division Five
Merstham 163
Weybridge Vandals 137
AFTER a disappointing loss to Alleyn last weekend that all but ended their chances of promotion this season, Merstham returned to winning ways with a hard-fought victory away to Weybridge Vandals in the Surrey Championship Division Five.
A large crowd made up of supporters from both clubs came together for a memorial match at Banstead last Friday.
The Twenty20 fixture commemorated 104 years exactly since Banstead 2nd team played their final match before several of their players were called up to the First World War. On that occasion, they played Redhill, a club which no longer exists. As Merstham now play many matches at The Ring on Earlswood Common, the then home of Redhill where the match was played, Merstham were invited to take part. Before the game, both teams lined up for a short service to commemorate the men. The names of 14 Banstead cricketers who served and died in the war were read out, along with five from the Merstham and Redhill clubs. A commemorative booklet called Banstead Cricket Club in the Great War, detailing the home team's servicemen, was available, having been painstakingly produced by James Crouch Banstead History Research Group. A follow-up is intended, featuring further pictures and revelations that were discovered on the night. Further details of all the men from Banstead can be found on the cricket club's website. In the 1914 fixtures, Redhill won by 70 runs. In the 2018 match, Banstead won five wickets and the details can be found on PlayCricket.
On another day, 195-9 in 50 overs might have bene enough to defend. Nav Saeed (21), Manish Patel (34), Rob Harris (35) and Jack Letts (36 not out) all got starts in the visitors’ total.
But Merstham could only muster three wickets in reply as Ewell won in the 31st over, Patel catching one off Imran Khan before Mohsin Ali (2-26 in 10 overs) forced catches to Khan and Richard Feist.
As part of our membership to Surrey County Cricket Club, we have available 30 tickets for the Surrey Stars vs Western Storm Kia Super League (KSL) T20 fixture on Saturday 18th August. Play commences at 7pm at The Oval.
The Surrey Stars squad features Sarah Taylor, Natalie Sciver and Laura Marsh from the victorious England World Cup team of 2017.
Merstham’s four teams took a rare clean sweep of victories on Saturday, all four teams winning for the first time this season.
The Merstham Cobras U9 cricket team enjoyed another fantastic unbeaten league season, retaining the East Surrey Cricket League for the Club and building on their Championship winning season of the previous year. A very close victory off the last ball against Sanderstead proved the decisive result.
Success in the cup continues to elude the side, with Oxted & Edenbridge winning a close and high quality semi-final. A total of 22 children played in at least one of the matches, demonstrating both the depth of talent at the club and the continuing policy of giving all abilities the chance to play in actual matches. This will hopefully allow us to run two sides next year.
On Friday 20th July, Merstham Lions beat Chipstead, Couldson and Walcountians in the East Surrey Colts League U12s Plate final. The match was played in great spirit and both teams should be congratulated for this. Hosted by CCWCC at their High Road ground was watched by a large friendly crowd. Thanks to CCWCC for organising and their great hospitality.
After early summer GCSE exam stress, it was a pleasure for the parents to watch as the Merstham U16s re-grouped, rekindling cricketing friendships, many of which began on the sacred Quality Street turf as early as U8s.
Merstham Cricket Club have been invited by Banstead CC to play a commemoration T20 match on Friday 3rd August, at 6pm. This is in memory of the Banstead players who played their final match before going to war in 1914, some never to return. They played against Redhill at The Ring, which is now used by Merstham 3rd and 4th team and for junior matches. Here, Banstead historian James Crouch tells the tale.
On Bank Holiday Monday, 3rd August, 1914, Banstead’s 2nd XI played what was to be the club’s last fixture for nearly five years, when they faced Redhill ‘A’ at The Ring, on Earlswood Common.
Surrey Championship Division Five
Old Pauline 240-4
Merstham 241-3
Merstham continued their excellent run of form with a convincing win against promotion rivals Old Pauline.
