Junior Review – 2015

In November 2014 our pavilion was demolished and during the course of the summer we watched the new building being erected. As a result we had to conduct all our training sessions without suitable facilities. We were blessed with good weather and thanks to the use of an awning and a shed to store the equipment we managed to get through the season. For the first time the club brought in an overseas players. Tom O’Malley, a level three coach from Brisbane, was vetted by the ECB and he proved to be an inspirational coach attending most of the training sessions and bringing in his own brand of exercises and humour. On the playing front we had an excellent season although availabilities in the higher age groups proved problematical. We are not alone with this phenomena and the ECB has recognised that nationally there is a decline in participation of young players aged between 14 and 25. On the plus side we have seen a big increase in participation at u7 and u9 levels.
We had 80 boys register in 2015 which was slightly down on last year and 28 girls which was up on last year. Our coach/player ratio was 1:4 which is well in excess of ECB minimum requirements. We are very fortunate to have so many dedicated coaches and it was good to see a number of cricketing parents helping each week. We have one ECB Level 3, one UKCC3 level coach and Tom O’Malley who held an equivalent Australian level 3 certificate. Three UKCC2 level coaches, two UKCC1 level coaches and three ECB level one coaches. On top of this they have all attended first aid and safeguarding children courses and individuals have taken ‘safe hands’ and specific courses relating to teaching people with disabilities and teaching in schools.

We entered teams in the East Surrey Colts League at u9,12,13 and 14 levels, the Surrey County Cup at u13 level, the Capel 6-a-Side at u9 & 11 levels and the girls entered the Surrey Youth Games representing Mole Valley and the Capel 6-a-Side. We also entered the NatWest T20 Blast for under 19s. It was unfortunate that due to lack of numbers we were unable to put out sides at u10 and 11 levels although we did manage a couple of friendly games.

Tom O’Malley ran our second Summer Camp. He was assisted by a number of players and coaches. Over 25 boys and girls enjoyed a week of cricket based fun games which culminated in a barbecue and each participant being presented with a certificate and a medal. Many thanks to all those who provided refreshments. Also thanks to Constantin Mitran who allowed the use of the table tennis table at the Six Bells.

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

John Callcut

Under 7s

For the seventh years we have conducted Chance to Shine for Y1 & Y2 at Newdigate Infants School. This again has seen an influx of young players, some as young as 5 years of age. They were ably coached by Dan Jones, Annette Jordan, Simon Wells, Simon Holt and Andrew Mayne.

Under 9s

Won – 13, Lost – 0, Cancelled – 0, Abandoned – 0, Conceded – 1, Opposition Conceded – 1, Position in League – 1st

Last year a young u9 team came 9th in the league. This year a similar side, but with the benefit of a years experience, topped their league without losing a single match. This was a fine performance.

Barry Jordan – Team Manager , Caroline Clark, Roger Bailey and Simon Capel

Under 11s

It was unfortunate that we could not enter a side in the league at this age group as our numbers just did not enable us to field full sides. The small group did have some excellent training sessions and some of the players represented the u12 side.

John Callcut & Dev Patel – Team Managers.

Under 12s

Won – 4, Lost – 3, Cancelled – 0, Abandoned – 0, Conceded – 1, Opposition Conceded 1, Position in the League – 4th

Mike Ashkuri – Team Manager

Under 13s

Won – 8, Lost – 0, Cancelled – 2, Position in the League – 1st

Barry Jordan – Team Manager and Paul Griffiths – Coaching Manager

Under 14s

Won – 4, Lost – 5, Cancelled – 1, Position in the League – 6th

In terms of squad numbers the 2015 season proved to be a real challenge with a couple of regular members leaving and all bar two of the Capel boys, whom had come across, deciding not to stay. This left twelve to pick from. With Woodmansterne leaving the league and our first match rained off the boys played nine, winning four and losing five with the highlight being an excellent performance at home to Caterham (previously league winners). The stand-out star this season was Joe Haynes who played in only six matches, scored the most runs (199, retiring four times on 40+) and took most wickets (eight with 5 in one match), latterly taking over the captain’s role with maturity and also represented the club at second team level. Second best with the bat with 152 apiece were Harry Holliday and Morgan Hamilton. George Lees was awarded the bowling cup with seven wickets, four in one match and whilst lacking consistency he practiced diligently and played with great enthusiasm. He just needs to maintain confidence to reap greater awards. The boys all round fielding did them credit, lead behind by George Wood, much improved as the team’s wicket-keeper, and benefiting from his sessions under the Russell Haigh Bursary scheme. It was a highlight for me, as a coach, to note the following boys representing the club at adult level: Joe & Ben Haynes, Morgan Hamilton, Henry Lucas, Harry Holliday, George Lees and Adam Moon. Unfortunately interest was not sufficiently maintained for us to compete in the summer in the Sussex Junior Cricket Festival and with important exams afoot it remains to be seen as to whether these boys want to compete next summer as an u15 squad or at adult weekend level.

Ross Hamilton – Coaching & Team Manager and Charlie Major

Under 19s

We again entered theNatWest T20 Blast competition for under 19s. After a promising win against Leatherhead availabilities became an issue once the holiday season set in and we lost the remaining matches. Nevertheless the team enjoyed the experience.

In August, Tom O’Malley ran a series of ‘futures’ training sessions. We invited a number of former juniors who no longer play cricket and the response was very encouraging

Girls Under 11s and Under 13s

The girls were coached by Paul Griffiths, Roger Bailey, Andrew Major, Tom O’Malley and John Callcut. Once again we entered a team into the Surrey Youth Games. Girls are invited to come to Tuesday evening training sessions and they can either join the club and take part in matches and competitions or just have seven free sessions and participate in the Surrey Youth Games – most, we are pleased to say, stay on after their free sessions. Newdigate represented Mole Valley in the Surrey Youth Games at the Sports Park at Guildford in June with a young side and had a thoroughly enjoyable day. We also entered the girls in the Capel 6-a-Side competition. The girls were invited to be guard of honour at the second day of the Ashes Test Match at the Oval. At the same time John Callcut was presented with a certificate by Mike Gatting for Outstanding Services to Coaching

John Callcut

Schools’ Cricket

Under the Chance to Shine Scheme, we presented cricket to the Weald Primary, 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 and this was followed by the very first function held in the new building when parents and juniors gathered for the junior presentation. All pictures can be seen under the Junior Awards section.

At senior level an amazing 3rd XI match was played against Burgh Heath. We were in trouble and George Warne joined Finn Osborne with their team on 37-2 chasing 297. Finn and George chased down the total recording the highest ever club partnership of 261. Finn scored 167 no which is the fouth highest score recorded by a Newdigate player and George scored his maiden century – 103 no. Both players are just 16 years of age – a truly remarkable achievement.