Every year we have to submit our team entries into the East Surrey Colts League in the January. It is very much a lottery as until the first training session you don’t know who is going to turn up from the previous season. This year as you will see from the reports below was particularly difficult. Coupled with this we lost the coaching services of Dev Patel (ECB Level 1), Barry Jordan (UKCC2), Ross Hamilton (UKCC2) and Mike Ashkuri (CSW). We are strictly regulated with regards to coach/player ratios at coaching sessions and although we thought that we would just about be OK things were going to be tight. I arranged for a Coach Support Workers course to be held at the club and the following people attended: Charlie Major, Caroline Clark, Roger Bailey, Mike Ashkuri, Daniel Jones, Simon Wells, Lee Brien, Angus Harper and Llwyd Griffiths. To complete the qualification everyone needed to attend a first aid course which I again arranged at the club and do the on-line Child Protection Course. During the winter we helped Evette Burton achieve her UKCC2 certificate and she together with Will Letts provided additional help with the girls.
It was a strange year weather wise as during May and June we had a lot of rain which disrupted training sessions but thankfully only a few matches were affected.

For the very first time we did not attend the Capel 6-a-Side competition. It clashed with the Surrey Masters game at the club and also the Surrey Youth Games and all our coaches were otherwise involved. This was a shame as it is a great day.

During the summer holidays we again organised a summer camp. 28 youngsters registered and they were provided with five fun filled days. Apart from the Friday when it rained for most of the day we were blessed with good weather. Ideally we needed five DBS accredited helpers per session plus someone providing refreshments and looking after registration and any problems that may arise. So it all takes quite a bit of organising – but the general concensus was that it is great week and well worthwhile.

(Summer Camp)

The following are reports on each section of the coaching department.

John Callcut

Under 7s

For the eighth year we have conducted Chance to Shine for Y1 & Y2 at Newdigate Infants School. This brings in an influx of players some as young as 5 years of age. They learn basic cricketing skills and some of the older ones even played for the under 9s. Coaching for the u7s on Mondaay evenings was conducted by Roger Bailey, Annette Jordan and John Callcut

Under 9s

The Newdigate U9 season looked to be promising from the start with over 30 people signed up to play. Of these, only 10 were actually in the U9 year group, meaning there was going to be plenty of opportunities for some of the younger players to get some match practice in.

After some solid training sessions, the season started over the May Bank holiday. As a number of people had made plans, some reinforcements had to be brought in with George McLoughlin making a star appearance, as the U10 side were not playing that day and Leo Lestrange stepping onto a cricket pitch for the first time ever. Leo proved to be an excellent find as he went on to score the highest number of runs over the season. Sadly the season did not get off to the flying start we had hoped for but we made amends on the Bank Holiday Monday, beating Southern Rail, Kenley & Selsdon.

This set the tone for the season with the team winning some notable victories, just being pipped to the post by some sides or coming up against some strong opposition, such as Reigate Priory. This left the U9s just below half way down the league at the end of the season.

The coaches saw steady improvements in all the players and in all aspects of the game with a number of the U8 players showing they were comfortable against players from the year above and with a tally of eight wickets in the season many found their match in Rufus James. Notable moments throughout the season included: Ollie Neale developing a good bowling action and taking four wickets against South Nutfield; Toby Wells donning his whites to play against Wallington; Tom Harper getting a hat-trick in the same match as well as terrorising any unwary batsmen with a number of stumpings and Harvey Mayne captaining the U8 team in two additionally arranged matches.

Congratulations go to Tom Harper, Rufus James, Leo Lestrange, Ollie Neale and Harry Ball for winning awards for the year group. Thoroughly deserved but a close run thing in some cases. Colts awards also went to Tommy Stimpson, Lawson Hughes and Alice Harper.

Thanks go to Andrew Mayne, Dan Jones and John Callcut for their work and support throughout the season and for the 31 boys and girlswho represented Newdigate U9 and made it a fun season for all………………. Angus Harper

Won – 4, Lost – 7, Cancelled – 0, Abandoned – 1, Conceded – 0, Opposition Conceded – 1, Position in League – 9th

(Under 9s – looks like they must have won)

Angus Harper – Team Manager , Andrew Mayne, Dan Jones

Under 10s

The under 10’s season for 2016 was very successful, having finished joint first in the league and winners of the cup, all the players enjoyed the whole season with weekly training sessions and weekend matches. Some very good batting and bowling performances were displayed throughout the whole of the season, with one lad just falling short of a half century on 46 runs, not bad seeing as they only bat for 4 overs per pair. Every game had good support from the parents and the team spirit was very pleasing to see, high fives when wickets were taken, cheers when runs scored and applause for the opposition when deserved. All in all the season was a huge success and every player progressed in both skill and ability. Must say it was a pleasure coaching them all.

Lee Brien

Won – 9, Lost – 2, Cancelled – 2, Abandoned – 0, Conceded – 0, Opposition Conceded – 0 – Position in League – 2, Position in Cup – 1

(Under 10s – league runners-up)

(Under 10s – cup winners)

Lee Brien, Simon Holt, Caroline Clark – Team Managers.

Under 13s

The u13’s finished the season a credible mid table in the league. We took to the field 5 times (once rain and concessions had claimed 3 of the games), using a total of 19 players. We had a core of 6/7 supplemented by a range of players of all (allowable) ages!, winning 2 and losing 3 games.
We had a great win at Felbridge & Sunnyside with the help of 4 of our u10 players. Bowling first an incredible disciplined performance restricted Felbridge to 63 for 7 off 20 overs. Young George McCloughlin bowling 3 overs for 3 runs and Oliver Wells and Nathan Askhuri conceding only 8 runs in the last 6 overs. In reply we needed only 11.2 overs to knock of the runs finishing on 64 for 2, Oliver Wells 25 got us off to a good start with Ben Haynes 17* and Henry Wells10* seeing us home.
Our other win came from a last match of the season home against Oxted & Limpsfield. Batting first Ben Haynes 32* tucked into the bowling but was only really supported by Fiona 13* and a staggering 49 extras leaving Oxted a gettable 112 to win. However Fiona Kehl had other ideas and took 4 wickets for 7 runs off her 3 overs as Oxted were bowled out for 50 in 13.4 overs
Our fielding was generally very good throughout the season with Jamie Harris keeping well and it was great to see the team improve as the season progressed. Special mention to Imogen Collier and Daniel Trent who consistently impressed in the field throughout the season.
Well done to all the players and many thanks to the parents for their support.
Simon Wells

Won – 2, Lost – 3, Cancelled – 1, Opposition conceded – 1, Newdigate conceded- 1, Position in the League – 5th

Simon Wells – Team Manager and Paul Griffiths and Llwyd Griffiths – Coaching Managers

Under 15s

Won – 3, Lost – 2, Cancelled – 2, Abandoned – 1, Position in the League – 3rd

As I mentioned at the Presentation Evening this is a reflecive time for me having decided to stop coaching and my squad concentrationg on exams and other persuits next summer. I have coached a number of boys since u11s whom were waist hight and are now much taller than I at 6′ 2″ and it is great to see (and hear about) most representing the club at adult level in the Sat 2nds, 3rds and Sunday teams – this progress provides a coach with far mor satisfaction than any results.

Like seaons before, that of Summer ’16 had its challenges for as, thinking that last season’s u13 league winners would provide competition for places the majority promptly left the club so that I had my regular 8/9 players with teams gamely and ably made up by younger squad members. I think all generally enjoyed their cricket and represented NCC in the right spirit – with the captaincy shared around but most turned to the tenacious Henry Lucas for assistance when required.

Thanks to Charlie Major for leading the Monday evening training sessions, I’ve very much enjoyed your support over the last few seasons…… Ross Hamilton

Ross Hamilton – Team Manager and Charlie Major – Coaching Manager

Under 19s – Newdigate Bobcats

We again entered the NatWest T20 competition for under 19s. After the past two years when at times we struggled to get teams out and actually cancelled fixtures, it was with some trepidation that I agreed to organise the team. I first approached all the squad in January to assess the keeness and find out the preferred times of playing. Armed with this information I went to the competition fixture meeting at Esher CC in March and arranged the fixtures, one per week, in July and one in the first week of August. I was disappointed that when I contacted all the players in June I found that a number of players had made other arrangements and were only available for a couple of matches at the most. Nevertheless I had great enthusiasm from a goodly quantity of players who were keen to play every game. Our first match against Horsley and Send Hurricanes was developing nicely when we suffered a tremendous thunderstorm followed by a spectacular rainbow. We were well beaten by Ashtead Bucks and Reigate Priory Rapids but Joe Haynes batted well and was just short of his fifty at the close. We had a great chance against Epsom Racers with George Lees getting a 5fer. Unfortunately our batting fell away during the run race. We were also beaten by Leatherhead Lightning, 175 played 130 with George Warne hitting a fine fifty. The opposition paid us the compliment of saying how much they enjoyed the match and our hospitality. I have no doubt that if we were able to field our strongest side then we could have competed in all the matches. Nevertheless the boys who played thoroughly enjoyed the competition, I enjoyed organising them and everyone is up for next season. Thanks to Charlie Major, James Penfold and Paul Bettesworth for creating the T20 atmosphere by providing the music and commentary.

John Callcut – Team Manager

Girls Under 11s and Under 13s

Having entered into the Surrey Girls League for the first time, the girls squad had some success with a number of excellent performances beating, Esher, Claygate, Reigate Priory and Dulwich. Overall there was a 50-50 split wins V losses. I might add that a number of the oppo squads were very well attended with a number of County players with our best wins against Reigate Priory & Dulwich.

There was a constant flow of girls throughout the training sessions averaging around 20 players including those who competed in the Surrey Youth Games. It was however a frustrating training season with a third of the session cancelled due to rain. The knock on effect of this unfortunately meant progression wasn’t as strong as I’d originally planned, but that aside every girl without exception progressed in technique and match skill.

End of the season came with a Girls v Mums match which the mums just won, a great evening to finish the season on. Thanks to all the coaches and the mums & dads who were taxi drivers & supporters throughout the summer. A special thanks to Will Letts who did a great job managing the SYG squad.

Nigel Spreadbury

(Will Letts with the Surrey Youth Games squad)

Team Manager and Coach – Nigel Spreadbury, Coaches – John Callcut, Roge Bailey, Andrew Major and Dylan Mares

Schools’ Cricket

Under the Chance to Shine Scheme, we presented cricket to the Powell Corderoy, St. Martin’s Primary, St. Paul’s Primary and North Downs Primary Schools and to Y1 & 2 at Newdigate Infants School.

John Callcut

The end of the season finished with the traditional coaches versus the colts match which was followed by the Junior Awards Presentation. All pictures can be seen under the Junior Awards since 1993 section.