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.

NatWest CricketForce encourages cricket supporters, their friends and families to give something back to their local community cricket club by volunteering to undertake major renovations to clubhouses and grounds. This year we will be developing the new score box, unfortunatly due to vandalism and safety reason losing the old pavilion and preparing the nets for the new season.

GOLF DAY 2008

Just to let you know that the 2008 golf day has been booked, will Mr Shinners be alowed to walk away with the trophy for the second year!!

MCC completed a clean sweep of the Runner up trophies in the Hawthorns 5 a side, Following on from the 2nd place finish in the league. MCC down to only 5 players for the league cup won their last group game against Old Gits with strong perfomance from all 5 players and Clinical finishing from Rich and Jez, The semi final placed the team against the Parents and now games were 10min Each Way!!! thanks for that Rich:) again a strong work rate and some last ditch defending followed by some fine point blank saves from Mr Neal Merstham thought out a hard 2-1 victory. Unfortantaly the Final again 10 min each way was a step to far as the League winners movement and ability was just to much for the MCC and we were happy to walk away with the Runner up trophy.

In the knockout cup MCC brought in a few extra recruites with the returning J Shinners and J Davids boosting the height of the team, a few teams thought we had turned up for a Basketball Competition:) The Semi final was a hard thought battle against J Lowe lively Merstham Athletic, MCC were leading with 5 min to go when Merstham Athletic equalised to send the game to penalties. So it was a battle against to MCC players MR Neal and J Lowe!!!! J Shinners dragged his penalty wide, But Mr Neal bounced back with two saves!! it was down to Mr Neal to seal the victory but unfortuntly his shot was saved:( but with the first Suden death penalty Dave saved and Ross slotted home to send the MCC through to play Big Time again:(

After a slow start some consistant performance have led to the Criceket boys finishing second in the league to a very strong Big Time side. Their has certainly been some entertaining football being displayed over the weeks and the use of the Big Guns in Vincent and Hughes has helpped when control of some players may have let a few down!

Friday 28th September saw Merstham Cricket Club come to gether to celebrate one of it's best season in recent years, and the 120 Guest showed how well the club is supported now.

The evening was very enjoyable with many converstation about what might have been and happy memories of games played throughout the season.