Merstham made the most of batting first with it's strong batting line up, to post a competitive total of 128 - 3 with Rich Turner 31, Ed Loader 30* and Jo Shinners 26*.

In reply Merstham bowling was a little wayward but cool heads in the field led to four run outs and Black and Veatch were eventually all out of 105.

In what was a top of the table clash Merstham putt in a strong batting display, Top scorers in their innings were Peter Freeman 25* and Rich Feist 20* who showed how easy the game is with good positive running. Their was also a usefull contribution by the returning Jo Shinners 14* the MCC finishing up with 110-2

Merstham knew they needed a tight start with the dangerous Morgan always likely to give the grammar school a strong start, but with James and Jo both getting sharp bounce and Jo bowling at Good pace it was hard work for the Grammar school, and a sharp catch by Rich Feist in the corner got rid of Morgan and the Grammer school never really recovered. In the end they were bowled out for 73, with both Richards picking up 2 wickets each.

CRICKET FORCE WEEKEND 5/6 APRIL

All members over the weekend of the 5/6 April the club will be preparing its self for the new season as well as making some long term improvments to the ground by being part of the ECB Cricekt Force Weekend.

GODSTONE CRICKET CLUB

TWENTY 20 CRICKET KNOCKOUT TOURNAMENT
THE DRAW & LOCAL RULES

Merstham put in another strong performance last night, with the help of 4 sharp chances being held by Freeman and Pant as well as sharp work in the field by the rest of the team, helping to reduce Horley to 84-5 from their 12 Overs. Herschel 3-0-15-1, James 3-0-16-0, Rich T 3-0-23-2, Rich F 3-0-23-2.

In reply after the early loss of Bennett two strong partnerships from Turner & Freeman and Feist & Freeman saw Merstham safely to their target. Turner 20, Feist 18 Not Out, Freeman 17 Not Out.

Merstham were back to winnning ways in the indoor league last night. Merstham batting first found it hard to score runs of the slow pace bowling of Salfords with the top 3 batsman all back in the hutch after trying to hit the back wall. James Vincent helped get the score board moving in the middle order, but it was left to Rich F 34Not Out to give Merstham a reasonable score to defend.

In reply Salfords set of for the required target with a tactic of hit and run, this put Merstham under pressure in the field but composure was kept and 5 Run Outs led to Salfords being all out for 59. Once again tight bowling from Herschel and Trigger plus the return to bowling of Rich F and natural keeping of Steve 'no byes' Bennett also gave more positives to the Merstham display.

As we fast approach the season, we can now inform you that Indoor nets will be held at the Hawthorns School (http://www.hawthorns.com/default.asp?id=65)

Nets will be from 5-6pm on March 30, April 6,13 & 20, when we will move to Outdoor Nets on Friday evenings at the club from 6-8pm so you can get rid of the stress of a week at work and get ready for that game on a Saturday or Sunday, with on and off field preparations as the bar will be open too.

Merstham lost their first game in this years indoor competition against current league holders South Nutfield, Fielding first Merstham found it hard to break through a confident South Nutfield batting line up and some under parr fielding ment that South Nutfield were always likely to set a good total.

Chasing 135 was always going to be a hard task and opening pair of Rich F and Steve B though batting well found it hard to find the gaps, and in the end Merstham fell well short of the Target though mention must go to the team for not losing a wicket and Steve Bennetts 28 Not out.

Merstham won thier second game in this years indoor league against last years Runners up Nutfield, Merstham batted first and strong straight hitting by Ed and Trigg gave Merstham a Strong Start. After Trigger retired at 25 the run rate was slowed but positive running by Rich and Jez pushed the final total past 100.

In the field Merstham needed to keep it tight and this was the case with Positive opening overs from Herschel and Hughes kept the Run Rate down. A couple quick run outs pushed Nutfield even further behind the required rate, and they were never quiet able to catch up despite some big hitting in the lower order, and Merstham eventually won the game by 9 Runs.

Last night saw the first game in this Years Indoor League. Merstham started their season against new team Black and Veatch. Merstham started in the field and tight bowling from Turner and Vincent kept the run rate down. The first wicket came with the score on 40, and Black and Veatch kept the score board slowly ticking over but the introduction of new member Herschel Pant saw three quick wickets and put Merstham in a strong postion for a positive start to the season and they were set the target of 93 to win.

After the early loss of Bennett, Rich and Eddie pushed the score board along with positive running and strong hitting. Eddie got to 25 with out to many problems and this brought Trigger to the crease and he and Rich pushed Merstham towards their target but with 8 needed Rich was caught and Bowled. This only was a minor negatvie as Merstham still reached their target comfortably.