September newsletter
Chair’s Update
With the shorter evenings, return of children to school and autumnal weather we’re currently seeing the cricket season has very much come to an end for another year!!
It has been another successful season with lots of positives: from individual to team performances, to breaking new ground with the ladies playing their first hardball match, there is much to look back on with fondness in what was a special milestone year for the Club. I am hoping that many of you come along and support by attending the Club Awards Dinner, which is taking place on Friday 14 November at the Royal Wells Hotel.
Winter well – the hard work for next season starts now, so please do stay in touch and engaged so we can make plans and put things in place for next season.
David
225 Anniversary Celebrations
Celebrations marking the Club’s 225 Anniversary took place in July. A drinks reception up at the Clubhouse on the Saturday evening was followed by a picnic and fun day on the Sunday. It was lovely to see so many at these events, from across all sections of the Club. Huge thanks to all those that helped with organising and running the event.
We also tied in the celebration weekend to a Life Vice-President event, and it was lovely to catch up with so many. As with the previous time we arranged the event, the weather wasn’t on our side, so we didn’t have a chance to watch any cricket on the Common, but it was lovely to catch up and for people to reminisce.
L to R: Mike Dunn (President), Adam Hookway, John Pickett, Simon Fisher, George Gilmour, Jamie Brown, Geoff Brown, David Smith, Peter Young
L to R: Trevor Bones, Ray Grayland, Geoff Brown, Paul Grayland, Jamie Brown, David Smith, Simon Fisher, John Pickett
Senior Cricket
Men’s
A successful season for the 1st XI, saw them take top spot in Division 3 with 14 wins and two losses. Thanks to some very strong batting, the side turned in a series of complete performances to keep Luddesdowne in second place at bay.
Special mention to Angus Stewart, playing his first full season for the Club. In 11 innings he scored 1,169 runs with 2 scores of 50+ and 6 Centuries, a top score of 215* and an average of 129.89. He was ably supported by Alan Sproule (who scored his first league century) and Josh Matthews, amongst others. The bowlers also backed up the batting performances with Captain James Rumbles snaring 21 victims and both Thilan Ramakrishnan and John Henley taking 18 wickets.
Although the 2nd XI was relegated from Division 4, there were lots of positives to take from the season. The regular appearances of juniors including Dan Mason (U18), Oliver Douglas (U14) and Henry Bagley (U14) allowed them to learn so much and they each played important roles in matches. A first league century for Richard Douglas in a brilliant chase against Bearsted was a real high point.
The Sunday XI had a full fixture list, with fixtures mainly consisting of 40 over games, though there were also some timed cricket games for the purists (which also with good captaincy from both teams allows everyone to play an active role in the match so they definitely have their place). There were some good individual performances with three centurions (Ali Zaidi, Oscar Brown and George Holder) and lots of opportunities for juniors to play.
Our entry into the Last Man Stands competition was a bit more challenging this season: with fixtures regularly being arranged for Tuesday evenings, clashing with junior training, availability was affected and meant that few parents and coaches were able to play. To then turn out against sides that had very different motivations to ours, meant we weren't always the most competitive but it did allow some of our female club members to join in and get more experience playing hardball cricket. Definitely one to review for next season with potentially a different midweek offer based around friendlies.
L to R: Back row - Jamie Brown, Ben Holt, Tim Beames, Chris Williams, Thilan Ramakrishnan, Martyn Budd, Dan Mason, Steven Smith, Glenn Morante, Hilton Henderson, David Smith, Phil Davis, Richard Douglas, Jack Roberts, Imran Jameel
Front row – John Henley, Hassan Hadi, Paul Grayland, Ben Hobden, James Rumbles, Josh Matthews, Jake Marsh, Angus Stewart
Women’s
The Southborough Strikers had a really enjoyable season, competing in both the Kent Women’s Softball Bash and the Kent Women’s Softball League festivals. We faced tough opposition in the Bash games, learned a lot and saw some strong individual performances by Laura Hudson-Woodward, Lucy Green, Steph Beames and Michelle Kemp with the bat, and Laura Phillips and Clare Childs bowling. We finished joint 5th in the final standings with a great victory over Penshurst.
We also enjoyed success in the festivals with a number of victories, including a memorable win against Holmesdale with Bryony Mackenzie hitting a 6 on the last ball to snatch victory by 1 run.
We also played our first hardball game, which ended with narrow defeat to Cobham. It was a great experience, with many of the team stepping up to put pads on for the first time. Especially great to have a number of the Under 15 girls playing, with Saoirse Offord and Molly Phillips enjoying a memorable batting partnership, and Sophia Sharp and Molly Phillips both taking wickets.
We intend to compete in Kent Hardball Development League next year, while also running a softball team as well. New players always welcome, no experience required!
L to R: Back row – Michelle, Carla, Holly, Beckie, Laura, Sam, Lisa, Katie, Steph, Jo, Lucy, Clare, Fabia, Laura, Bryony, Saoirse, Harriet
Front row – Ruby, Sophia, Molly
Junior Cricket
Another successful season with over 130 juniors, from Under 9 to Under 15s, as well as 75 All Stars. We entered seven teams into the hardball leagues, with five boys and two girls’ teams and the U9s also took part in a festival against Cowdrey.
With two boys teams at U11s and U13s, we were able to give lots of players chances to play, providing opportunities for them to develop and over the course of the season we saw some strong team and individual performances. All teams performed well within their respective leagues with the U11As just being pipped to the title in the Championship, the U11Bs competing well with all of their losses by fewer than 6 runs (which was a great experience for a mainly U10 aged side), the U13As finishing 3rd and the U13Bs finishing mid-table.
The U15s had a successful season, winning the Tunbridge Wells Division, and just as importantly saw a number of the players take their first steps in playing adult cricket, representing the Saturday league side and Sunday friendlies. They each handled the step up well, and it is brilliant to see our juniors coming through into senior cricket, enjoying themselves and playing a full part.
L to R: Dheemu, Oliver, Henry
The U11 Girls had a superb season in the league, holding their own against some experienced sides, with two convincing wins against Bells Yew Green and Sevenoaks and some very narrow defeats. The girls also did incredibly well in the Tunbridge Wells u11 softball tournament, finishing 3rd out of 10 teams. Special mention to our captain fantastic Grace Kemp who has been a huge cheerleader for the team all season and deservedly won Player of the Year.
L-R: Coaches – David, Katie, Bryony
Girls: Lana, Grace, Georgie, Orla, Aurora, Evie, Sophia
The U15 girls squad had their second season at U15s and are still a young squad with another year to go!! Although results were tough, as a village side playing in a league against the large town sides, often the opponents have U15 county players which can make it challenging. That the girls put in some really strong performances, really enjoyed themselves and the numbers at this age group keep growing is a testament to their resilience. They also managed to secure a win, so the hope is next year when the majority of our squad will be in their final year of U15s, that they will do even better.
Club Awards’ Dinner
Please save the date. All are welcome!!
.png)
150 Club
We do have squares available to buy at the moment - each square costs £24 per year (or £2 per month) and there is a monthly draw where the winner takes away £100, with an extra draw at the dinner. Any proceeds from this scheme are re-invested in improvements for the Club’s membership.
If you are interested in playing a square, please contact the 150 Club organiser, Phil Davis (philcodavis@gmail.com).
Recent winners are:
May Nicola Glover (128)
June Mandy Pulsford (36)
July Sam Owens (33)
August Hattie Harrison (110)
September Peter Young (52)