The fruits of Claygate’s youth development policy of the early 1960 blossomed yesterday at Dalmore Avenue when the ‘little village side from Surrey’ demonstrated its strength in the senior ranks - producing a decisive 6 wicket victory against a Surrey Over 60’s side.

Winning the toss and on a damp track, Claygate inserted the visitors and soon had the ‘county boys’ in trouble after Alan McKinley struck twice it the opening overs. Andy Spector took the catch of the day as the ‘Hand of Specs’ grasped a stinging drive from Surrey skipper Mike Byford,  himself an England player with a century against the Australians to his name. Despite a tumbling, diving, athletic collapse, Spector held-on, to turn the game decisively in Claygate's favour. The home side then followed up with tight bowling from the ferocious pace attack of Jon Law (two wickets), Steve Wells and Des Cecil. Russ Guyatt picked up two wickets in his first eight over spell since 1968.

Claygate's simple strategy of ‘feed ‘em enough hot dogs and cream cakes till they burst’, looked short of the mark as Surrey reduced the home side to 18 for 4 in the first six overs, until Richard Waller (aged 106) and Russ Guyatt (aged 13) put on 110 for the 5^th wicket - both making half centuries and bringing the home side well deserved victory.

After the game skipper Nigel Abbott commented, “Today’s success was a tribute to the intense preparations, long evenings in the Griffin and dedication to the no sex no alcohol policy that we strictly enforced from early this morning. Is been a high point in a very low level career to be playing with such a group of outstanding athletes.”

The Claygate side of Spector, Cockburn-Smith, Darke, Cecil, Waller, Guyatt, Wells, Mckinley, Lewis, Law and Abbott – recorded an average age of 59.75

And there are more in the wings – Cope Morgan (sick note), Murphy (cab fare to Heathrow) Vincent, and Ross (parents took them out of school) were also in the early running for selection ...but failed to make the starting XI.

For the record we made around £250 for the clubhouse development fund and had an excellent day. Thanks to everyone who came down and helped and particularly to Surrey for the fixture. We have invited them back for return match in Cricket Week next year.

Attendance: 17

Club Secretary Rufus Legg ( centre right) shakes hands on the deal with Walpole's Ollie Slade...flanked by Alan McKinley (right) and Dave Charter ( left) both from Walpole Financial - CCC's new clubhouse sponsors! 

It’s Paddy’s Bar! - 30th July 2010

Over 100 family and friends were at the pavilion last night to celebrate the naming of ‘Paddy’s Bar ‘and to say ‘Cheers’ in recognition of long term service to the club by 79 year-old Claygate legend Paddy Walsh.

The name ‘Paddy’s Bar’ will not only be used on the existing old bar for the rest of the season but will be transferred to the new clubhouse when it is opened on the Recreation Ground next spring.

The Walsh family have a number of members of the cricket club amongst their ranks and around 30 of the family, including wife Maureen and his three daughters were there to see Paddy receive the recognition and unveil the name plate. Over £1200 has been raised from the family and from a collection last night to sponsor the new bar which brings another cash injection to the clubhouse development project.

Club spokesman Steve Wells commented “Paddy epitomises the community character of this club and has given us terrific service over the years. His own sporting abilities, particularly in golf and football, have given him the ability to understand the effect of sport on people and from his position behind the bar over the years he must have listened to, sympathised or praised countless stories of good and bad cricketing moments in an incredibly supportive way!” 

Claygate Recreation Ground Trust Chairman Nick Hayes also thanked Paddy adding “After retiring from his duties behind the bar, Paddy has continued to give us excellent service by patrolling the Rec each morning, helping us keep it clean and pristine over the last few years”.

Paddy himself was his normal self-effacing and charming self adding “It’s been a real pleasure to have been associated with the club over the years and I have really enjoyed being part of the club. I look forward to the opportunity of being able to pull the first pint in the new clubhouse in a few months time”.

But he did pour a pint in the old bar first! Grandson Rhys celebrated his 18th birthday yesterday and celebrated with a pint pulled (and paid for!) by Paddy himself!

The day the circus came to...Claygate!                            June 5^th 2010 

The circus came to town in Claygate on Thursday 3^rd June , when the first fundraising event for the new clubhouse was held on the Recreation Ground.

On a perfect early summer evening, a sell-out crowd of 600 people, watched “Happys Circus’ perform with clowns, jugglers and high wire artists who entertained the crowd  - a large number of whom were children – for around two hours. A BBQ and refreshments organised by the Cricket Club also helped the carnival atmosphere.

Happy’s operate all over the south of England principally performing for schools and charities wanting to raise funds. The circus was the first of the fundraising events being planned by the Claygate Recreation Ground Trust to raise money and awareness of the new clubhouse project.

The total estimated cost of the new clubhouse building is around £270,000. Funding has been applied for from the local authority and from a range of other grant making and sporting organisations, but there is shortfall being targeted for commercial sponsorship and fundraising.

Event co-coordinator Damian Ross from Claygate Cricket Club commented;

“We believe this was the first Circus to be held on the Recreation ground and it was fantastic to see so many children from in and around the village having such a great time. It was a ‘big hit’ and a great way to kick-off our fund raising events.”

With donations, money raised from this event and sales of the ‘Buy a brick’ campaign, the funds raised since the launch of the project already amount to several thousand pounds.

Nigel Abbott who is coordinating fundraising for the project commented. ‘It’s been a very positive first six weeks since we launched the project and the reaction from the community has been terrific. However, this is only our start and we have a long way to go. If any business is interested in associating themselves with an exciting local project, then we would be delighted to hear from them. In addition, if any individual feels they would like to support our Buy a brick’ programme or help us in any other way that would be a terrific contribution to our efforts’.