December
Not all our cricketers are sitting down with their feet up watching the test match. Under 15, Jack Wyllie, took part in the recent Holly Run at Reigate Priory and came second in the under 15/17 race. His younger brother, Charlie, also starred in the under 13s and they helped Dorking & Mole Valley Athletic Club win the team award. 300 runners participated but we didn’t see their father amongst the runners!!

Typical, that groundsman has called the match off already. Sorry guys no game today.

(A snowy Brocus – 2nd December 2010)

November

Andrew Major, Nick Procter, Nick Crawford and John Callcut travelled down to Swindon on the 27th November for the National Club Seminar which was run by the ECB. The venue was at the impressive National Self Build and Renovation Centre. The first speaker was Bruce Cruse who is the Head of ECB Funding and Facilities. We had earlier spoken to him about our plans and we were gratified to learn that clubs will still receive ECB support even if we could not guarantee useage throughout the year. He said that all clubs had different situations and would be considered on merit. During his speech he said that there were 3248 affiliated cricket clubs with junior sections and 1425 Focus club. He described different funding streams and clearly being a Focus club will be of benefit. Tessa Hayhurst, the ECB National Funding Operations Manager also spoke about funding. Dominic Warne from NatWest Bank and David Leighton from the ECB spoke about the importance of NatWest Cricket Force and ways to encourage volunteers. Finally Ally Jarvis from the ECB spoke about the value of volunteers and the V cricket scheme. We have already had four young players sign up to this, namely Jack Bowley, Christian Parsons, Alex Miller and Stephen Kehl. They will be allocated jobs to attend to around the club and they enter the hours worked in a special book and after so many hours they will be entitled to ECB merchandise such as polo shirts, hoodies etc. NatWest Cricket Force 2011 weekend is the 9/10th April.

On the 25th November Andrew Major, John Callcut and Stephen Kehl represented the club at the Surrey Sports Awards which was sponsored by the High Sheriff Youth Awards at the Denbies Wine Estate. The club had been nominated by Mole Valley in the Sports Club of the Year Category. We were up against very tough competition, namely Curley Park Rangers FC and Mytchett Athletic FC both from the Surrey Heath area. This year Curley Park was named by the FA as the National Community Club of the Year so it came as no surprise that we were awarded the runners-up certificate. We were nevertheless very proud of this achievement considering we were up against EVERY sports club in the county.

Andrew Major, Stephen Kehl and John Callcut at the Surrey Sports Award Ceremony at Denbies

On the 21st November coaches, Dev Patel, Andy Meads, Paul Griffiths and John Callcut were at Whitgift School where there was a trade exhibition showing all the latest coaching aids. We have bought one of the new ‘Sidearms’ which is being promoted by Graham Gooch. This enables the coach to do faster and more accurate throw-downs.

We have heard good reports from Surrey about two of our juniors, Alex Miller and Stephen Kehl, who have recently attended a ‘Young Leaders’ Course. Well done lads.

The dinner and dance on the 13th November was a huge success. The food was excellent and we had the best turn out for many years. On the night before we attended the Surrey Downs Presentation Evening at Dorking Rugby Club. Congratulations to Richard Callcut who won the league batting award for the second year in a row. On the same evening we also attended the Mole Valley Sports Award evening where Dev Patel was a nominee for the Volunteer of the Year Award. He didn’t win but he had a consolation at the dinner when he was deservedly named as Clubman of the Year.

The Surrey Trust Development League has now been drawn and we will be playing Ashtead, Lingfield, Chessington, Epsom, Horley, Leatherhead, Oxted and Thames Ditton so there won’t be many long distances to travel. There is a change of rule – four players must be under 16 and four under 18.

October

You know what it’s like. You arrive for cricket, you get everything ready, you get changed, the captains toss up and down come the rains. You hang around, give up and go home and out comes the sun. Well, a similar thing seems to happen on bonfire night which this year was on the 29th October. A party of cricketers arrived at 1.00pm to arrange the shelter for the food, get the mulled wine under way, stake out the car par, supervise the building up of the fire, put the electrics up, put cones out around the village etc. etc. People arrive at six and it starts raining. As the fireworks started so the heavens absolutely opened and everyone got soaked to the skin. So instead of everyone staying for food and enjoying the fire they all went home to dry off. Half an hour after the fireworks had ended the rain stopped. The good news is that we had a very good attendance and hopefully we did not lose financially.

On the 20th October we said goodbye to an old friend. We sold our Stothert & Pitt Roller for £371 on e-bay to Bernard Johnson of Breachwood Green Cricket Club near Luton in Bedfordshire. The roller ran up the ramps as good as gold and here is a picture of it leaving the club. Let’s hope that it gives its new owner as good service as it gave to us over the years.

During the week commencing the 11th October the club was well and truly put to bed for the winter. The outfield had its final cut, the equipment has gone away for servicing, over 8 tons of top soil has been laid and seeded to flatten out the north-west part of the outfield and the square has had all the specialist work done on it. As I write this, the rain is gently falling, which should please the groundsmen.

Congratulations to under 15s Fraser Mosley and Will Bennett who have got through the first rounds of the Surrey Rugby U16 selections. A number of our boys have been awaiting their Surrey U16 cricket trials but they have been rained of twice and have been re-scheduled for January.

The club was ‘put to bed’ on the 2nd October on one of the rare late autumn days when the rains have not fallen. So all the equipment and gear is safely stored for the winter. Our groundsmen are getting frustrated as they have been unable to get on the square. The loam, fertiliser, seed etc. have all been delivered but the pitch is just too wet to work on. As soon as the ground is suitable then the work will commence on the square and we have also had ten tons of topsoil delivered which will be spread on the rough area of the outfield near the pavilion which has been effected by moles. Hopefully we will have a much smoother outfield for next year. Also a tree surgeon has inspected the overhanging branches on the five oak trees in the centre of the Brocus and, with the Community Centre’s permission, this work will be done in time for the branches to be put on the bonfire. He is also looking at the beech tree near the pavilion with the aim of trimming it to give us a little more sunshine in the late evenings.

September

The end of the cricket season is usually a melancholy affair with the late afternoon shadows spreading across the ground and the first leaves beginning to fall. The romantic vision of leather on willow and dappled sunshine were not to be seen on our final match against Ham & Petersham. Constant rain and a bitter wind swept across the ground but the gallant Sunday team was determined to stay to the bitter end and in collusion with the opposition somehow managed to complete the match. For the record – Newdigate won and Ruky scored a fifty. Thus the 2010 season has come to an end.

Paul Bettesworth in action as the rains swept across the Brocus

Even the scorer has deserted his post !

The much anticipated match between the coaches and the under 15s took place on Sunday, 19th September at the Brocus. A full report can be seen under the Sunday 1st XI reports. Here are a couple of pictures showing both teams.

Nostalgia was in the air on the Brocus on Friday, 17th September. 51 years ago Bill Turner and John Callcut opened the batting for St. Dunstan’s Primary School at Cheam and to commemmorate fifty years of playing cricket together and fifty years of friendship they decided to stage a special cricket match inviting players past and present. Bill’s team batted first and we saw a fascinating duel between Ben Crook and Richard Callcut with no quarter given. At the other end Simon Capel rattled up a quick sixty with some clean hitting especially against his father, Graham, who after his son was out bowled a fine spell of left arm spin. Richard decided to take his father, John, to the cleaners by hitting six sixes in an over. The first three went over the boundary but that was it and John had the last laugh when he had his son brilliantly caught on the long-on boundary by James Turner. Now there’s someone who should be playing cricket – definitely a lost talent. Richard scored 76 continuing his excellent form and Dave Freeman and Steve Hill accelerated the scoring enabling Bill to declare on 223-7. The match did not follow the script as John’s team was reeling on 30-4 with top batsmen, Andy Meads, Peter Freeman, Keith Fuller and Nick Crawford (??) all back in the pavilion thanks to incisive bowling from Charlie Major and Steve Saker and a brilliant catch from keeper, Bill Turner to remove Meads. Jason Wharam restored some respectability with some delightful stroke play but when he was out to a spectacular catch by Steve Hill wickets fell at regular intervals thanks to the wily spin of David Loader and Colin Tennant. Mick Radburn, playing his first game for many years, battled manfully even scoring a well struck four to mid-wicket but when club chairman, Andrew Major, went to the crease at number eleven with instructions to play for the draw, everyone knew that the game was up when he struck his first two balls for four! The final wicket fell on 147 in gathering gloom and then the whole match was replayed in the bar well into the evening over a beer and many old photographs.

Bill and John toss up with umpire, Pierre Tartari in attendance

Ben Crook in full swing bowling to Richard Callcut

Players and Spectators

Old Friends

Andrew Major saying a few words

Reliving old times, nice to see Puddy at the club

It was good to see our friends from ‘Trees’ at the Brocus. We normally see them at bonfire night admiring the fireworks but in our match against Caterham they were certainly treated to some fireworks on the cricket pitch with over 500 runs being scored. Here they are enjoying a nice cup of tea. This was actually quite a weekend with over 1000 runs being scored on the same pitch!

August

We once again hosted the annual 6-a-Side competition on the August Bank Holiday Sunday. The tournament held in memory of former club player, the late Peter Clark, last year raised nearly £1500 for Diabetes UK. The total raised for this year has not yet be finalised, however, we have high hopes that the final figure will again be in the same region. A total of twelve teams were entered again for the second year running, up from the original eight, and the group stages were held on two pitches from 11 am. The football pitch had been especially prepared over the summer months two provide the second pitch.The top two teams from each of the four groups would go through to the main finals with the third placed teams contesting the Plate finals. Despite the fact that the weather was overcast and chilly a large crowd turned out to watch and the ground looked perfect with marquees and parties of picnicers around the pitch. The group stages were very tight with memorable performances by the RGS Capel side nearly knocking out the favourites Dorking Rugby Club. Further excellent performances were seen from our guest side Newdigate CC of Warwickshire who came down specially to play their namesakes from Surrey!A huge downpour sent everyone in for cover but plenty of sawdust was put on the pitches and play resumed as soon the rain had stopped. RGS Cryer were looking good to make the final after a couple of the top seeds went out, however, in a repeat of last years final they were knocked out by Newdigate FC who then went on to beat the Saturday 1st team in the final and secure the trophy for the second year running. The 1st XI lost their two big hitters, Matt Clarke and Des Harris before they could retire and the football club were able to pass their total thanks to good batting from Ben Crook and Paul Bettesworth.The Plate Final was contested by RGS Capel and the NCC Midweek team and having kept the midweekers to only 31 off 6 overs, the RGS openers made light work of securing the trophy, their first silverware in over ten years of playing the tournament!For the finals the sun came out to present a perfect evening and Mrs Jenny Clark, Peter’s mother, stayed all day and presented the prizes. Thanks go to Andrew Major, James Scowen, and Richard Brown for their help on the day and all those who donated fantastic raffle prizes. We hope to see even more spectators next year, weather permitting.

A good crowd turned out for the annual 6-a-Side tournament

Dorking Rugby Club contemplate their exit from the tournament

A heavy shower sends everyone scurrying for shelter

….and out comes the sunshine

——– all in aid if Diabetes UK in memory of Peter Clark

The winners, Newdigate FC . Ben Crook, Darren Drew, Paul Bettesworth, Peter Trower, Tim Pople and Hiten Patel

.…and the Plate winners – RGS Capel with Jenny Clark presenting the trophy

During a recent league meeting we received a request from Ian Barker of Nutfield for redundant cricket gear. There is a real need for equipment in Tanzania so we made up three bags from our stock and handed them to him at our match against South Park Manor. He is collecting equipment from other clubs and arranging shipment to Africa. Here is our gear waiting to go.

Whilst the boys were having a happy time at the Oval our good friend Jeff Risk sadly passed away after a long battle with cancer. Jeff had been a loyal friend and supporter of the cricket club and used to love turning out for the mid-week team. He took an active interest in the juniors and was a life long supporter, like his father, of Middlesex County Cricket Club. To his wife Vivien, daughters Lizzie and Melanie and all his family we send our very best wishes.

Jeff – as we all remember him ……………………….

On the 25th August seven of our juniors went on the ‘Hallowed Turf’ Course at the Oval. The under 8s had the opportunity of training on the grass but at mid-day the rains came, so the session for the older ones had to take place in the Barrington Centre. The courses were carefully planned and well run and covered batting, bowling and fielding exercises and Alex Tudor, the former Surrey and England fast bowler, showed what a natural coach he has become, mixing serious training exercises with humour and fun. Afterwards the children were presented with signed miniature bats.

Here is one of our lucky boys on the ‘hallowed turf’ at the Oval

We have heard that Mahesh Hatkar from the Centurion Cricket Academy of Mumbai, who visited us last year, has made a good recovery from his accident and is now home. He had hoped to bring his club over to the UK in September for a series of matches but he has found that many sides are just unable to raise mid-week teams when the schools are back from holiday. We hope to see them again next year.

On the 21st August, Craig Jones organised a summer, fancy dress party for the club. As can be seen from the pictures an enjoyable time was had by all those who attended – but the attendance was poor especially as the purpose of the evening was to support Chris Fox who is going to run in the London Marathon to raise money for the Tommy charity. The event was publicised on the website and on posters throughout the club but there wasn’t a single midweek player present and the first eleven was barely represented. A lot of work goes into organising these events but if you don’t wish to support them then we will not bother going in to the time and expence of arranging them. There were some excellent costumes on view with Paul Bettesworth, having scored a match winning century against Salfords, looking really good but Dan & Liz Jones’s Popeye and Olive Oyl must have taken first prize.

On the 13th August, Richard Hall and Simon Hards, came down from Surrey to present a special session featuring modern coaching techniques for seam and spin bowling. Coaches from all over the county came to the club and enjoyed an inspiring session. The club was represented by Henry Warne, Alex Southon, Alex Miller and Stephen Kehl in the seam department and Jordan Morris, Christian Parsons, Bertie Edwards and Matt Dilger bowled spin. Many new exercises were introduced which we can use for future training sessions.

The under 15s lost their championship decider against Woodmansterne in the eighteenth over. After losing two wickets in the first over we recovered well thanks to excellent batting from Thomas Ball and Harry Ramsey which left us on a par total of 101. In reply Woodmansterne also lost three wickets but their left hander, Billy Yeats, set about our bowling and virtually won the match for them single handed.It has been an excellent season for the under 15s but it was a case of so near yet so far.

Our under 11s played their League Cup Final away to Southern Rail & Kenley on the 9th August. The semi-final had been played a month before and in spite of manager, Mike Quigley’s, best efforts to get the match brought forward this proved to be impossible and this meant that many of the players who had got the team to the final were unable to play due to holidays. Nevertheless the boys put on a good show in front of a large crowd of spectators. The home team supporters had turned up in force but our small band of parents were not to be outdone and they certainly made their encouragements heard. Southern Rail & Kenley posted a good score of 309, and although at one stage we threatened the total, a flurry of wickets put the total out of reach and we ended on 240.

The U11 Cup Runners-Up – they don’t look too sad do they?

The final game of our Surrey Trust Development League campaign came to an end on Sunday 8th August with a fine win over Dulwich. Ashtead were convincing winners of the division but we came a creditable fifth place with 16 points just two points behind second place Alleyn & Honor Oak who we beat. We will probably look back at the match against Chessington which if we had won, when only chasing 113,would have given us sufficient points to get the runners-up position. Here is the team that played against Dulwich.

www.paulgriffiths.info
www.cricketcoach.info

On the last day of July the Saturday 3rd XI travelled to Shalford with a team that was perhaps unique in the club’s history.There were four father and son combinations. Mike & Cameron Osborne, Thomas & Julian Ball, Stephen & Ian Kehl and Jon & Harry Ramsey. The side won a competitive match and Jon Ramsey sustained a groin strain sprinting for a ball, Ian Kehl sustained an upper leg strain, Mike Osborne made the earth move on several occasions, Julian Ball dropped a catch and Charlie Pilcher also strained a muscle. Despite these impediments we still managed to win. The spirit of cricket won through as we all sat outside their pavilion drinking beer ( not the youngsters) and re-living the match. This was the last scheduled 3rd XI match of the season and the concept has totally fulfilled it’s purpose. We have given young players the chance of playing adult cricket and it has encouraged older players to continue playing – and a word about our skipper Stepen Kehl. After Mike Quigley sustained his horendous injury, 15 year old Stephen Kehl took on the captaincy and seamlessly bossed the older players around to create a really good team. Well done Stephen.

Craig Jones has finally had his arthroscopy and he his strutting (like his father!) around the village – We know he can’t wait to get back into the action.

Many of you will have happy memories of our trips to Rawdon Cricket Club in Yorkshire. This year they are celebrating their 175th anniversary and there is a dinner taking place at Headingley on the 29th July with former player and England captain, Brian Close, as the guest of honour. John Gill from Gomshall who can occasionally be seen watching cricket on the Brocus, has been invited as he is the oldest surving member. On behalf of the club we have sent our congratulations and Ted & Betty Leadbetter wish to be remembered to all those Newdigate players who played at Rawdon.

MEDICAL REPORT – Don Jones (not Dan as reported by the paper) can now be seen striding around the village taking his daily exercise and looking very fit. Mark Rance went home on the 21st July and is now resting. But there’s more – Barry Wiles has gone into hospital for an operation on his back. This is a tricky sounding procedure but we wish him well and look forward to seeing him back playing again.

An ambulance has been seen on the Brocus on three occasions in the last 10 days. A midweek player badly damaged his knee ( a la David (Sid) Lawrence), Don Jones suffered chest pains during the Jenny Chamberlain memorial match and was detained at East Surrey Hospital for nearly a week but is thankfully fine, and Mark Rance suffered chest pains whilst batting against Old Woking and was taken to hospital where he is currently undergoing tests. are Mr Brown’s pork pies to blame?

16th July and what’s happening at the cricket club? A large marquee across the front of the pavilion beautifully decked with flowers was the venue for Ben & Tanya Crook’s wedding reception. The weather was fine and a happy evening was spent by all.

The cricket club all spruced up for Ben & Tanya’s wedding reception

Where is Mrs Brown ????? (while the cat’s away!!)

The happy couple starting their married life together (Big match tomorrow Ben?)

Congratulations to Harry Ramsey. He was selected to play for Surrey under 15s against Hampshire this month and took two wickets. Harry has worked hard at his bowling and thoroughly deserves this honour.

June

On the 29th June we hosted the Surrey vs Buckinghamshire under 10 match. The weather was kind, the ground looked a picture and a good crowd watched Surrey win in the final over. There were some mightily impressive ten year olds on display which augers well for Surrey cricket but also goes to show how good you have to be to progress from Surrey District cricket into the full Surrey team – keep working boys. Coach Neil Stewart’s verdict of the day ….. awsome!!

Once again Capel CC organised a brilliant Six-a-Side tournament for under 9s and 11s on the 27th June. On a perfect summer day the competition was played on three pitches with ten sides competing in two groups in each age group. There was a continuous barbecue and cold drinks and ice cream were on sale all day long. James Scowen’s daughter, Sophie, who used to be one of our juniors, kept everyone informed through the loudspeaker system of Radio Redhill. She even let us know that England had lost 4-1 to Germany in the football, although the groans from the pavilion told their own story. Capel had been let down by two sides so we provided extra teams at both age groups. Our under 11 ‘A’ team played as a tight unit and did well to reach the semi-finals and were very disappointed to lose to Horsham Trinity in a low scoring game which was dominated by good bowling. Trinity lost the final to Pulborough by one run! The ‘B’ team played some excellent cricket and greatly benefited from the experience. The under 9 ‘A’ team were not at their best and won two out of five matches and failed to qualify. The ‘B’ team did extremely well to win two matches but like the ‘A’ team they failed to qualify. Nevertheless it was a great day and Capel really do a tremendous job in organising this event for the eighth time.

Newdigate U9 ‘B’ Team

Newdigate U9 ‘A’ Team

Newdigate U11 ‘A’ Team (forgot to take a picture of U11 ‘B’ team – sorry !)

The under 17s entered the Dennis Jacobs Cup for the first time and had to play Reigate Priory on the 18th June. Although the football was on many people came out to watch Matt Clarke mount a blistering attack against the Priory bowlers. Even the members of the bowls club looked askance as two balls ended up in their hedge! After Matt was out we still carried on courageously and fell just twenty runs short. The much vaunted first team match the next day ended dismally for Newdigate who lost convincingly to leaders, Westcott. The seconds pulled off a good win against Salfords with under 15, Jack Wyllie scoring his fourth fifty of the season. The thirds also had a good win with under 15, Henry Warne, scoring 70, his maiden senior half century. A weakened Trust team put up a good fight against Ashtead and a relieved, Ruky Wickremasinghe, finally finding the middle of the bat in scoring his first fifty of the season.The seconds lost heavily to the Cricket Society.

Third team skipper, Mike Quigley, has had an operation on his torn tendon and is now in plaster – an untimely end to his season and we wish him a speedy recovery.Craig Jones has now got a date to have his knee seen to and he goes into hospital next week. Best of luck Craig.

For many years Sally Buckle has organised villagers to pack parcels of goodies to be sent to the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Owing to logistical reasons this had to be discontinued so it was agreed to organise a fund raising 20/20 match between Newdigate and Headley Court on the 17th June. The match was well supported by the village and it was good to see many new people at the club. Newdigate won in style but they did witness the class of Lee Harris who bowled fast and straight and hit the ball like Andy Meads in his prime. Small wonder that he has played Grade A cricket in Australia. We raised £270 for Headley Court in support of the wonderful work that they perform.

Alex Menya, Sally Buckle, Andrew Major, Ruky Wickremasinghe and Lee Harris

Junior coaching took place as usual on the 14th June and to the casual observer there seemed to be nothing untoward. For some unknown reason Mr & Mrs Brown decided to dish out World Cup horns to all the young players and you have never heard such a cacophony of noise. By 8.30 the place was empty but what did the rest of the village think ! We are awaiting complaints.

World Cup Football finally came to Newdigate when a packed club house witnessed England draw 1-1 with the USA. Mr Brown provided an American Style barbecue and although the football was pretty grim Newdigate 1sts had a good win at Capel, the 2nds narrowly lost to Claygate and the 3rds had a good draw at Rudgwick.

We got off to a flying start in the Surrey Trust Development League with a fine win against Thames Ditton. A full report can be seen in the appropriate section but the game certainly turned round when Jose de Castro timed his jump to perfection to take a stunning catch which seemed to break the visitors momentum. From then on the match turned our way and we won by twenty runs.

On the first day of ‘flaming’ June we hosted Surrey U10s for a training session. It rained throughout the morning but they battled away and we witnessed some highly talented young players. It must be very difficult for the coaches to select a team from such a talented squad.

May

May has been a good month for the club and it is very gratifying to see our young players scoring maiden fifties and centuries.

With all cricket being washed out on the 29th May due to heavy rain, the Patel’s curry night was moved to the Sunday when we hosted the Bushmen. Everyone enjoyed delicious fare and it was nice to see the entire Patel family here in force serving real authentic Indian food. Whilst everyone was eating, the first team came back following their match against Broadbridge Heath and in the gathering dark you could see an enormous smile coming from the car park. That belonged to Matt Clarke who had scored 139 – his maiden century. Many congratulations Matt.

On the 30th May the Six Bells pub staged a charity walk in aid of breast cancer. Quite a number of club members participated and Mr Brown took a real liking to a blond wig – everyone thought it looked good on him but Mrs Brown likes him just as he is!!

Congratulations to Sunday 2nd XI skipper, Sam Slade, who scored 114 against Maori Oxshot on the 22nd May.This is Sam’s maiden century – well done. But another sort of record must have been set on this sunny Sunday. The first eleven scored 278 and lost and the second eleven scored 267 and also lost. Never before have so many runs been scored for so little result!

What a golden week for 15 years old, Fraser Mosley. He scored a half century for the Saturday 3rd XI, he then repeated the feat for the under 15s and he has now been invited to join Harlequins’ under 16 Elite Player Development Group. Such is his modesty you would not know, if you hadn’t read it here.

The Junior Presentation took place during the evening of the 17th May and we had many visitors supporting the young cricketers and enjoying Mr Brown’s chilli supper afterwards. Full details of all the awards and photographs of the evening can be found in the junior section. We also had two pieces of excellent news. Chris Haigh announced the continuation of the Russell Haigh Bursary for five years and we were told that our ECB Clubmark and Focus club accreditation will be continued following a detailed inspection on Monday night.

Midweekers, Graham Capel and James Scowen both celebrated their birthdays on the 16 th May. As Graham’s was his 70th, a secret special match was staged when the most of the midweek squad gathered to play an inter-club match. It was so secret that the match was described as against ‘Champagne Slayers’ in the fixture card which is an anagram of Graham Capel Nyes. There was a spectacular tea and the champagne flowed …. and also the match was pretty good with James’s team chasing down a total of 171.

16.05.10 – Newdigate 2nd XI have a super win against Old Woking with Hiten Patel and Bill Turner turning a lost cause into a win…and what do you think of a wicket keeper who removes his gloves and puts himself on to bowl and then gets two wickets !!! The 3rd XI turned the clock back and played on a pitch reminiscent of one that Hambledon would have played upon 300 years ago. But hey it was OK and a strong Kingston Methodist team posted 271 runs from 40 overs including about ten hits that somehow missed the parked cars. In reply Newdigade posted over 200 runs with Fraser Mosley and Cameron Osborne both scoring excellent half centuries.The first team was smashed by Headley Old Freemans who chased down the Newdigate score of 180 for the loss of just one wicket. The batting is best summed up by this picture of Paul Bettesworth.

Have you seen that our Chairman has splashed out on new carpet for the club room ? Anthony Roberts supplied and laid it and it looks very smart.

Did you hear the news on the 10th May ? Mr Brown has resigned – doom and gloom around the cricket club. What a shock, what will happen now ? It’s all OK it’s not OUR Mr Brown who had resigned but the Prime Minister!!!

Martin Clabby came to the cricket club and made a promotional film with John Callcut for use with the forthcoming pavilion appeal. Here it is.

Now is the merry month of May …… but not for Newdigate. All three teams lost on the first Saturday and spring came to an abrupt halt as both Sunday matches were washed out! Still no spring for the following weekend but at least we recorded three wins and progress in the next round of the nPower Village Knockout Competition.

April

29th April – This looks like a peaceful, tranquil scene. Newdigate playing on the County Ground against Horsham with Hiten Patel and Peter Trower batting. But what drama unfolded just an hour or so before. Ben Crook is bowling, the batsman pushes for a single and Ruky goes for the ball as does Ben, they collide and Ruky ends up with a broken nose and a visit to the hospital. He carefully put on a sweater to cover his blood stained shirt as Di arrived. We would like to thank the Horsham players for their consideration and also the gentleman who transported Ruky to the hospital.

We knew that under 13 Charlie Wyllie runs for Surrey and is pretty fast but in the mini marathon run in London on the 25th April he came a staggering 8th out of a country wide field. Well done Charlie, but don’t think that your fellow batsmen at the other end are quite as swift, and run them out!!

Phew! It was looking as if the teams were going to start league cricket without a win under their belts but Ruky Wickremasinghe’s, Sunday 1st XI, conjured up a good win against Wivelsfield Green. Having been shot out for just 129, a total which could have been a lot less without a battling half century from Des Harris, the bowlers settled about their work in determined fashion. Backed up by some good fielding the visitors were skittled out still needing over forty runs for victory. There have been some good matches though with a number of batters having scored fifties and Ben Crook already securing two five wicket hauls.

During the morning of the 24th April we hosted the Surrey Central District under 14 trials. Thomas Ball, Alex Miller and Charlie Wyllie from Newdigate participated.

Congratulations to under 15 junior, Fraser Mosley who plays rugby for Dorking. He has been selected to represent Surrey at full back and kicked a vital conversion in their 12-10 victory over Eastern Counties.

Junior coaching got of with a bang on the 19th April. It was great to see the Brocus full of motivated and happy young players and so many parents enjoying Mr and Mrs Brown’s hospitality. Isn’t it strange to see cricket being played on a warm day but with all the trees still bare?

Commiserations to Craig Jones who, following his MRI scan on his knee, has found that he has to have an arthroscopy and will probably be unable to play for nine months.

The first weekend of the season and the weather was beautiful, the pitch played really well, the bar was stocked …. but what happened to the cricket ? The Saturday 1sts scraped a draw against Leigh but the Saturday 2nds, and both Sunday teams lost. Congratulations to new boy, Jason Wharam who hit fifties on both days and to Richard Callcut, Mark Rance and 14 year old, Jack Wyllie who also recorded fifties. Seven ducks by the Saturday 1st XI must be some sort of a record !!!!

With the volcano in Iceland still depositing a layer of ash in the atmosphere and all flights being grounded, treasurer Steve Jones hired a car and drove from Germany to Calais and finally got home sixteen hours later – such devotion to get back specially to pay our expenses! The Chamber family and the Peters family are also stuck overseas. Apparently the boys are sorry to miss the start of junior training but not so unhappy to miss school.

Our new groundsmen have been preparing the wicket and the outfield has been cut a couple of times so with this run of fine weather everything should be ready to welcome Graveney CC on Saturday, 17th April for the first match on the Brocus.

On Sunday, 11th April a group of Newdigate players embarked upon some team bonding and took part in a paint balling session. Here they are looking as if they are about to take on the Taleban!

Newdigate comes to the rescue. Bolney Cricket Club phoned us up saying that their match on the 10th April had been cancelled – a few calls later and we were traveling down to Sussex with much enthusiasm. See ‘fixtures’ for the report and well done, new member, Salman Hussein, who took five wickets.

Well done Craig Jones – he has managed to secure a grant of £250 from the Team Sport Award which is organised by EDF Energy. We have bought a load of kit for the juniors.

March

On the 27th March about forty members gathered at the club to get lots of jobs done in readiness for the forthcoming season. The picket fence was repaired and re-painted, the holes in the car park were filled in and the pavilion was generally spruced up. We had problems with our new netting as the manufacturers had delivered it undersize. They have agreed to replace it and it will be with us before the start of the season. The old maxim that ‘many hands make light work’ certainly proved true as by early afternoon all the jobs were done…..

On the 20th March, Mark Church of Surrey TV and BBC London, visited all the 45 Focus Clubs in Surrey to raise money for the Surrey Cricket Foundation and Sport Relief. The event was entitled ‘Off the Long Run’ and he collected caps from all the Focus Clubs in Surrey during a long trek that took in about 240 miles and took nearly twenty hours.

On several occasions the village has made up dozens of parcels full of goodies to be sent out to our troops under the guidance of Sgt. Tom Stimpson who lives in the village and Sally Buckle. Owing to logistical reasons this is no longer possible so we have been thinking of ways to do our bit. Sally suggested a cricket match so we made contact with Headley Court, where we learnt that there are a number of members of staff who are keen cricketers. We have invited them to the club on the 17th June for a 20/20 match starting at 6.00 pm. Please make a note in your diary to come along and support this match.

Brilliant news – we have received notice from Sport England that our application for funding has been approved to the tune of £10000. This is to go towards a brand new roller.

We have received nice letters from Diabetes UK and the Children’s Trust at Tadworth following our donations to both causes. £1500 as a result of the Six-a-Side and £500 as a result of Mr Brown’s fines.

You have to feel for Sharon Eyers, the Surrey Cricket Development Officer. She arranged a meeting at Pippbrook on the 3rd March for all cricket clubs within the Mole Valley area. She also invited Rich Arlett, the Mole Valley Sports Development Officer and the idea was to discuss clubmark, safeguarding etc., and to advise about facility funding and other areas in which these bodies can be of assistance. Just representatives from Newdigate, Ashtead and Westcott attended. Sharon has supported all our funding applications in the past and will be very important to us when we start fund raising for the new pavilion.

February

Surrey Cricket are going on the road on Saturday, 20th March and they will be visiting all 45 Surrey Focus Clubs, including us, to raise money for the Surrey Cricket Foundation.

Have you seen that the Wyllie boys have been making headlines in the Dorking Advertiser? Charlie Wyllie produced Dorking & Mole Valley athletes performance of the day when he came third place in 14 minutes 7 seconds in the undulating 3,200 metres – and he is still in the under 13s! Brother, Jack, came 7th out of 47 runners in the 4,000 metres and he is in the under 15s…… expect to see lots of sharp singles next season !!

Members of the dog handling show ran into a problem on the 21st February. The exhibition and show was taking place at Charlie Frosts’s farm but the organisers needed a venue to feed all the judges. There was nowhere at Charlie’s, the Village Hall was booked and the Bowls Club had a lunch already arranged. The cricket club came to the rescue – a quick clear up and a hoover and we saved the day. The grateful organisers gave us £20 towards club funds.

Newdigate has been awarded a grant of £350 towards coaching costs from the High Sheriff Youth Awards fund. The High Sheriff this year is Lady Toulson CBE, DL and she is hosting an event at ExxonMobil House in Leatherhead to celebrate the success of projects that have received funding during her Shrieval year. We are certainly honoured and grateful to receive this award.

Nick Crawford has been playing at the Six Bells once a month. Check him out he’s terrific.

Umpire Nick Crawford puts his finger to better use !

Winter nets are now in full swing at the Oriel School, Maidenbower. Here are some action shots …..

This has been a bad week in Newdigate and our thoughts and prayers go to Peter Trower and Alwyn Kear, Grandson of Hon. Vice President Alwyn Holder, who have both been involved in serious accidents. We all wish them both the very best.

January

Ruky has negotiated a deal with Healthy Balanced Generation Leisure Centres which will entitle all membership to a 25% discount. Most players will be familiar with the Maidenbower facilities as that is where we have our winter nets. See home page for full details.

We had a goodly turnout on a cold frosty morning to clear away leaves from around the square. We have now appointed Owen Winser and Derek Heselwood to be our groundsmen for next season. There will have to be more input from club members particularly regarding rolling. Their contact details can be found in the Who’s Who Section.

Working party clearing away leaves – 31st January 2010

Once again we are collecting Tesco vouchers to go towards new equipment for our juniors. This is the banner at the club.

A coaches meeting was held in the convivial surroundings of the Six Bells on Tuesday, 26th January. Everything is now in place for next season and we have ten qualified coaches plus nine assistants already to go. This promises to be an excellent season and we look forward to providing a high quality but fun learning experience for all our young players.

The AGM was held at the Six Bells on the 17th January and it was really well attended. The main item for discussion after all the committee had been re-elected and the captains chosen was subscriptions. A number of players thought that it was OK to try and avoid paying subs for as long as possible but the Committee thought this a poor idea as did the membership present. It was therefore agreed that the subs would be £80.00 but reduced to the current rate of £60.00 if paid before the 1st June 2010, similarly the rate for students and unemployed rises to £55.00 but reduced to £35.00 if paid before the 1st June. With increased costs expected for ground maintenance and catering it was agreed to raise the match fees to £6.00 and £4.00 for students, unemployed and juniors.

There is a nice picture in this weeks (14th January) Dorking Advertiser showing our Club Welfare Officer, Annette Jordan, trudging through the snow visiting her patients by foot in her other job as a nurse for Central Surrey Healthcare. She must be happy in her work as she has a big broad smile on her face.

We have just had new netting delivered from Durant Sports. They have signed up to NatWest Cricket Force and have offered good prices so, as we have again registered, we have taken advantage of the offer and next season both the mobile and the nets will look very smart. The total cost came to £830.00 and we have obtained a grant of £800.00 from Lord’s Taverners to cover the cost. We are also hoping to extend the run-ups and we have made an application to the Gatwick Community Trust to cover this extra cost. We have also put in an application to Sport England for a new roller. Fingers crossed.

Umpire, Nick Crawford decided that another pitch inspection would be required at 2.00 pm after he got back from the pub – 6th January.