The Final League Table (top 8 teams):

Playing cricket at Claygate this summer during the incredible buzz of the Ashes Series united players and oppositions alike, not because some were Aussies and many more Englishmen, but the quality of cricket at the highest level and the result against one of the most successful sides in history, contextualised our involvement in the richness of this unique game.

We started the season as we hoped not to go on, but did. Snatching draws from the jaws of victory, and falling at the last hurdle, unable to bowl oppositions out and thereby turn our dominance in some matches into points. As we won the league so strongly the previous year, most teams were quite cagey against us, seeing a draw as a good result. Despite this, Claygate CC 1^st XI secured a place in the top division of the new Surrey Downs League four division format.

The 1^st XI continues to enjoy a strong team spirit in the SDL, but at the same time providing room for improvement. On the field there were some great performances. Sunny Mahajan and Lance Mayer produced some sparkling innings, including some blistering knocks from Lance at Ockham and Sunny top scoring with 137 not out against North Holmwood. But the innings of the season, Sunny’s diligent 100 against the eventual league winners at Headley, who put up the best bowling attack against us during the summer. There were also important knocks from Damian Ross, Russ Davis, Joris Nathanson and Jamie Henderson.

However, our leading player of the year was the ever-popular Matt Weston. “Bambi” – so named because of his elegant, light-footed gait in the field – scored 615 league runs at an average of 41.00, our most consistent performer of the year (Mahajan: 394 @ 39.40 and Mayer: 386 @ 29.69). Time and again he showed focus and concentration when our middle order did the revolving door. Matt featured in 14 of our top 20 partnerships of the summer. He also managed to receive our alternative “Inzamam-ul-Haq Award” for only making it half-way there – so often getting to his fifty, without ever converting it to a ton. Perhaps next year . . .

Our attack lacked bite and penetration. Tom McKinley led the way as our leading wicket taker with 27 wickets - Mark O’Connell second with 21. Tom also pulled out an outstanding performance, removing the league-leaders’ last three batsmen in 3 balls, thereby beating Newdigate with an outstanding hat-trick. Next season Tom will be stronger and faster. Mark had the best innings analysis with 5 for 43. Others who performed well in spells were Ben Lane, Chris Howe, Luke Webb, Vikram Prabhakar and Nuwan Jayasena.

Most economical bowler was Ben Lane, going for 3.18 runs per over – Chris Howe & Nuwan Jayasena joint second at 3.34. Top bowling average was Dillon Woods @ 15.86 apiece – Tom @ 18.56 apiece; and top strike rate was also Dillon Woods @ 3.26 overs per wicket with Tom second @ 5.12. These figures show that all bowling places are up for grabs. Already a quality spinner and two new pace bowlers have shown some interest in staking a place in the 1^st XI. Attracting such players is essential in both creating competition in our attack as well as placing pressure on our bowlers to produce higher quality performances. Winning the league requires less of a focus on economy / run-rate, and more on penetration.

There were some outstanding performances in the field. Ben Lane and Tom McKinley were as ever, selfless in their whole-hearted approach, but our leading performer in the field was Luke Webb, whose attitude and approach was refreshing and positive. Behind the stumps Lance Mayer pulled off some amazing performances, including some dazzling leg-side stumpings. Just listening to him, Lance will set himself even higher standards in both ‘keeping and batting for next year.

With the club growing in strength on and off the field, the 1^st XI is now positioned to rise to the challenge. Batting talent is evident, though more application and focus at the crease is required. New blood in bowling will add to competition and quality, and most players don’t need to travel too far to bring about a significant improvement in our fielding. Combined, this will provide the 1^st XI with the basis for a sustained assault on the new SDL 1^st Division title in 2006.

Best Innings: Sunny’s diligent 100 against the eventual league winners at Headley

Best Bowling: Tom’s hat-trick to win the game against Newdigate

Best Catch: not catches but Lance’s series of stunning leg-side stumpings off Ben, Luke, Mark, Matt…

Best Match: there were a lot of close games, our wins against Westcott and South Park by 2 and 1 wickets were two of the closest, but beating league leaders Newdigate by 20 runs with Tom’s hat-trick was satisfying

The Final League Table (top 8 teams):

An entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable season with more social highs than cricketing ones, which I guess is what 2^nd XI cricket is all about.

We managed one more win than our Championship winning side of 2004, with the make up of the team unrecognisable. The 2004 team had a different skipper and on average eight different players with many debuts through the season. In all 32 different players turned out for the 2^nd XI with the Sri Lankans making way for the Aussies. Although we lost some flamboyant batsman at least the Aussies put some more money behind the bar!

Our batting was disappointing, only Rufus (430), Me (322), little Russ (207) and Dick (204) contributed with any consistency. Despite missing Chancey's fine spin bowling, in my opinion we had the best seam attack in the league giving their appreciative skipper the ability to regularly set attacking fields. Justin (23 wickets), Pricey (19) and Whitey (15) were the main contributors. None of them gave up and were always willing to bend their backs for the team.

Champagne moment contenders included Pricey's amazing caught and bowled against Headley, Dick’s catching hat-trick against Brockham including a 'you had to be there to believe it effort' and an excellent 50 from Chris Lewis, using a runner throughout (and he was still knackered afterwards) against West End.

However nothing compares with the running between the wickets at Old Woking between Zulu, aka Chris Louw, and Graham Dear, aka Diego, 'the only pro in the village' and Claygate’s most successful skipper ever! Old Woking have the largest keeper in the world, larger than Diego… however he wasn't counting our very own large gentleman's desperate dive which flattened him. It was the last wicket to fall and the fielders and our batsman had walked of the pitch for tea long before before their keeper got to his feet, priceless!

Social highs included me losing a race with Chris Lewis the ex-slowest member in the team by a short neck or was it a  'white ass', I can't remember, and a broken collar bone again involving my good self during a game of 'stumps'.

Once again thank you 'Gary', 'Twinkle Toes', 'Lionheart', 'The Shark', 'Pomme', J
Baby', 'Smokey', 'Zulu', 'Diego', 'Munchkin' and the' McTrio' for making the
year such fun!

Best Innings – Rufus’ 70s against Ockham and Nutfield, batting through the whole innings when all around him were getting out and Jamie’s 77 at East Horsley

Best Bowling – Chris Lewis’ 6-26 at Ockley, Dave Price’s 5-33 against Nutfield and Chris White’s 5-29 at South Nutfield

Best Catch – Dick’s amazing effort in front of the sightscreen at fine leg as part of a hat-trick of catches in one game – he never caught another one all year!

Best Match – the last one at East Horsley, always good to finish on a high and we improved on last season’s winning total

Our first game was against Westcott 3^rd XI which ended in a draw. We scored 185 all out with Dick (45), Dave Morgan (60) and Tom McKinley (30 not out) contributing. With a good score it was looking to be a good game to win but we just could not get that last wicket. Westcott ending 154-9 with Zulu (Chris Lowe) 3-22 off 10 overs and Steve Mckinley 4-21 off 8 overs taking the wickets.

Second match was again against Westcott. This time we WON! Decided to put them in to bat to try and force the win. Westcott scored 65 all out with great bowling by Munchkin 3-16 off 5 and Zulu 3-10 off 5 and Dave Morgan and Sanjay Patel picking up 2 each. So with them scoring 65 it looked in the bag from the start but it wasn’t to be as we collapsed to 37-6, we looked in trouble but steady batting from Mark Grant (27), Dave Morgan (18 not out) and Sanjay Patel (10 not out) saw us through.

Next game was our first 20/20 match. Unfortunately I was not able to play due to illness so vice captain Munchkin took charge and did a fantastic job. Long Ditton batted first

so vice captain Munchkin took charge and did a fantastic job. Long Ditton batted first scoring 92 for 8 with Dave Price taking 3 followed by Dick, Gary Glitter (Spector) and Munchkin taking the rest. It was looking good after the first 10 overs with Suranjan, Henry and Tom McKinley giving us a blistering start scoring 63 between them. However, as soon as they went, along came the cracks with 5 batsmen all scoring under 5 runs and it looked like the game was Long Ditton’s, but hang on there came one of those JAKE DEAR moments with Dick holding up one end and Justin facing with two balls left needing 5 runs, Justin hit a six(!) to win us the game. Not bad convict, but like every other member in the club come back and talk to me when you hit a six! off the last ball to win the game.

Next was the rematch against Long Ditton. We batted first scoring 135 with Danny Simmons (40), O’C (23) Jake Baby (20 not out) and extras (21) starring. With Long Ditton going well, and looking like another close game, I rolled out the red carpet and gave the ball to the in and out swinging O’C who took 4 wickets in 3 overs for us to win the game with Ditton finishing 128-7. Fifth match was against the Chipmunks and the first defeat. Bowling first, thinking that it was their 5^th XI, I decided to open the bowling with Jamie Henderson, and probably the worst mistake of a Claygate captain has ever made. Big Man Hendo went for 50! off 5 overs, so after ten overs, playing a 40 overs game Jamie and Matt Holmes had gone for 88. So I brought on my most experienced bowlers, Munchkin and Zulu, both taking 2 wickets each but it still wasn’t enough with the Chipmunks scoring 257-5 off 40 overs. Even though we lost, we made a fantastic reply scoring 235-6 with Jamie Henderson (90), Munchkin (22) Jake Baby (27), Dick (59 not out) and 12 year old Rhys Dear smashing the opening bowler for 4 runs off the last two ball (9 not out).

Sixth game was our last 20/20 match against Stoke. Stoke batted first and scored 199-9. Chris Howe picked up 4 wickets and Tom McKinley 2. We started well with Lance scoring 27 off just 3 overs, Danny Simmons (46) and Chris Howe (65 not out). With no one being able to stay in with Chris we crashed to 179 all out. Next game was against Sunbury with nine players under-20 and four under-15, it looked a bad move with not enough experience in the team. Sunbury batted first scoring 180 all out. I should never jump the gun with Nigel taking 3 wickets and two up and coming bowlers from the colts took 2 each - Esea Backos and Patrick Conway. In reply Claygate scored 113 all out with Sunbury’s veteran spinners taking every wicket after we had started well with Tom McKinley (42) and Garth (25) opening the batting but there were no partners left for Bob Hurcomb who was left 23 not out.

Following a washout at the Chipmunks ground in the return fixture, the final game was against Thames Ditton. Thames Ditton scored 182 all out with Steve McKinley and Zulu taking 2 each. But then came the star of the show, impersonating as O’C, Jake Baby picked up 4 wickets. Claygate replied by scoring 120 all out with only Pricey scoring any runs (52).

I would like to thank the fantastic Vera, and Claire, for their teas and being able to run the bar with all us slobs. Thanks also to Paddy for tidying up the Rec every week, you’ve done another great job again this year. Most of all thank you to all the players who played for me this year. I’ve enjoyed playing with everyone this season. I LOOK FORWARD to seeing you all soon.

When I was approached by Claygate Cricket Club to discuss the proposal of Matthew Pierce & Co. becoming the primary sponsor for the club, a number of thoughts came to mind. 

What message would my involvement send out to the local community? Why am I considering this opportunity as opposed to other property related projects? Will such a 5-year agreement start off enthusiastically, then over the years possibly become diluted in its effectiveness?

On announcing the partnership, Claygate’s president David Milner commented: “It’s great to see the support of a local business. This is a major step forward for us and will have the effect of broadening the impact of cricket in the village bringing benefit on a number of fronts. We had a great season last year winning the Surrey Downs League and this has already stimulated the club considerably. The club is taking a number of other significant steps this summer - starting a third eleven and a new Colts side, who will be playing in the West Surrey League.”

Our response at the launch was: “We are delighted to be supporting a local club that already does a terrific job in the community but has the potential to do even more. I hope

that some of the money for example will be able to fund equipment for the colts as well as helping the longer-term ambition of refurbishing the Dalmore Avenue pavilion.”

Well, at the end of the playing season and a historic summer for English cricket, I am now pleased to say I feel the partnership between my company and the CCC is a perfect match (pardon the pun!) for a number of reasons.

Our ethos is similar in we are working to promote and encourage the youth of Claygate and the surrounding areas to be part of a club to be proud of. The Club has a clear direction in improving the facilities over the years to make it even more popular and inviting for all concerned.

I wanted to really make a significant difference in Claygate by actually agreeing to sponsor the Club for the next five years, as a way of displaying my commitment to putting something back for the community's benefit, which I feel passionate about as a local business proprietor and Claygate resident. This has been further demonstrated with our sponsorship of a national schools’ chess tournament at Claremont Fan Court School, which has proved to be a huge success.

The recent and historic victory for the England Cricket squad reinforces the importance of supporting at local level to give the best possible chance of creating a first class cricketer to represent our country and it is a good feeling to know that Matthew Pierce & Co. are involved in promoting this ethos. This follows in the historic footprints of Claygate’s first ever captain, Alfred Perry Lucas, who also played for England.

Overall, the sponsorship agreement is a symbiotic partnership between two ventures making great strides in Claygate and surrounding areas. It is one, which will add to the progress and growth of both the cricket club and the market presence of Matthew Pierce and Co. (see www.matthewpierce.co.uk ).

Matthew Kallenberg-Pierce

Following on from the club’s double success of 2004, Claygate CC was able to leverage its progress off the field in three main areas: attracting new sponsors, acquiring sightscreens and new club shirts and caps.

With research as to the requirements for sightscreens specifically for the Claygate Rec, the specification was for them to be: fireproof – ie made entirely of metal, unbreakable – ie with a double-strength frame and double-width metal wheels to spread the surface area the extra weight would require. In addition, full size screens were commissioned (4.05m high by 5.24m wide). Through much negotiation, initial quotes were reduced and we were offered a fundraiser with Devon Malcolm to reduce the cost to the club.

“The first one now will later be last... just as the present now will later be past”.

There is just a chance, not much I grant you, that Bob Dylan was not thinking of Claygate Cricket Club when he penned those brilliant lyrics at a time when even I was young enough to be a colt.

But the club needs to be aware that the times are always "a-changin", as Dylan would have it. That's why we re-launched our colts system this year with an eye to producing the next generation of Claygate players. 

The ambitious plan was to plunge them straight into the West Surrey Under-12 league against the likes of Esher and Chessington, on the basis that only match practice can teach boys about the demands of the game. We also took the view that if the colts scheme was worth doing, it was worth doing properly.

So we hired a professional coach in Chris Harrison, who was brilliant with the lads during Friday night sessions at Hinchley Wood School. Some of his fielding drills would greatly improve our senior teams, but that is another story.

Meanwhile I, with some help from Graham Dear, organised extra friendlies which were played with great parental support on midweek nights at the rec.

We won six games over the season and lost seven, with victories over Esher's B side, Whiteley Village and Avorians notable scalps.  The boys looked the part too in their blue Claygate caps.

A couple of the players are ready now for the odd outing in the Sunday 2nd XI.  Names to look out for:

Patrick Conway - a fast outswing bowler and big hitting batsman.

Sam Tonks - gives the ball a real thump, though needs to improve defence.

Charlie Briegel - very promising left arm fast medium and correct left-hand batsman.

Max Kretzschmar - on books of Southampton FC. Bats, bowls and keeps wicket.

Robert Darke - top wicket taker in the colts, nagging line and length.

Sam Fairburn - away swing bowler and reliable top order batsman.

Oh and there is Rhys Dear, a chip off the old block.  Will get some runs when we can teach him to play the odd forward defensive as well.

In the Olympic year of 2012 these boys could be the "stars" of Claygate... if they are very

The Mallard Trophy: Jake Dear & Rufus Legg (shared)

David Milner Colts Cup: Patrick Conway

Fielding Cup: David Price

Alun Cope-Morgan 2nd XI Cup: Rufus Legg

Bowling Cup: Tom McKinley

Maurice Freeman (Memorial) Batting Cup: Jamie Henderson

J Dennis (Clubman) Trophy: Dillon Woods

Players' Player of the Year: David Price

Lifetime Achievement Awards:

Mark O'Connell - the club's top bowler over the last 20 years

Nigel Abbott - longest serving club captain over the last 15 years