We ended the 2024 season talking about how to improve on our 4th-place finish. The message was clear – consistency as a team, turning up week after week as a set and motivated 11.
At the end of 2025, after four captains and 28 players representing the 1s, it’s fair to say we didn’t totally put that into practice despite huge individual efforts! From the outset, this inconsistency alongside significant injuries, made this season one of our most challenging. The goal soon became survival and speaking honestly, we rarely put in a complete team performance. Too often, we as senior players didn’t stand up when needed, especially with the bat. We never quite had the same side week after week. And, this wasn’t helped when before the season started, one of our most reliable bowlers Joe Lavender managed to put himself out for half the season by rolling his ankle while celebrating a wicket at nets!
I would note that in the long term seasons like this can shape a team. It was evident early on that the one thing we had to do was stay up, and although we made life as hard for ourselves as possible, thanks to some brilliance, plenty of grit and a slice of luck, we pulled off the great escape to keep our Premier League status.
There were still plenty of standout moments. With the bat, Teague Wylie, David Brent and Nic Smit all produced important innings, while Don Butchart showed he could win games with both bat and ball, stepping up superbly at number six. With the ball, BT led the attack with passion and energy, in the absence of his partner in crime, Joe Lavender. Freddie H reminded us of his destructive best at Dulwich, producing a devastating spell of spin in a must-win game. We also had success beyond the 1st XI. Justin Broad showed everyone of his class, scoring his debut professional hundred and leading from the front in the T20 semi-final at Edgebaston. And younger players continued to shine, with Alex French and Ollie Hunt making their Surrey debuts in the One Day Cup, while Alex Chambers announced himself with a competitive, high-class 90 in a huge chase that summed up his fighting spirit and potential as an exciting all rounder.
The season also had moments where we simply dug deep together. Against East Molesey; one of the toughest opponents you’ll meet, we were up against a strong bowling unit and quickly realised that if we couldn’t win, we had to fight tooth and nail for the draw. Don showed his adaptability by batting with patience and then Freddie came in to play one of the most important knocks of our season. He fought the devil on his shoulder and proved he could dig in when it mattered most, showing he’s a man full of grit and not just power. Those hard-earned points proved significant in the end.
For much of the season, our problem was setting up games with the bat. Too often the bowlers were left with little to work with, no matter how hard they tried. Then came Wimbledon away. Always a tough game, but one we relish and have found success in the last few years. That week, we made a conscious decision to change our approach with the bat. Ollie Hunt worked tirelessly through a tricky powerplay, Smit and Chambers consolidated, Freddie and Brent then cashed in with the destructive finishing we know they’re capable of. It was old-school cricket: graft early, flourish late. For what felt like the first time all year we gave ourselves a platform, and the bowlers responded in kind. Ben and Joe were relentless with the new ball, and Chambers, Freddie and Don backed them up brilliantly. Everything clicked across all departments. A hard-fought win, but one that showed we had the quality to match anyone, even the team that would end up winning the league.
The following week at Reigate, missing five from that famous win, we inevitably struggled. But it opened the door for youngsters to shine. Tom Chandler gave everything in the field and looked composed with the bat. Adam Helwick impressed at the top, building on his strong 2nd XI season. And Fergus De Mestre showed why he’s such an exciting prospect at a very young age.
We battled all the way to the end. Against relegation rivals Sunbury, the game could have gone either way even after they amassed a brilliant score over 300. After the weather intervened, both sides were left needing a final-day win to survive. Sunbury fell short against Reigate, which meant the door was ajar. In that last game, another talented young player, Ollie Mortlock, produced a crucial spell of bowling and the runout of the season. And fittingly, it was Ben Townsend who took the winning wicket to seal survival. His celebration, dropping to his knees in sheer relief and passion, captured exactly what it meant to him, the boys and to the Club.
One thing I do want to stress is how much this group gave to the cause. Results didn’t always reflect the effort, but the commitment in the middle never wavered. What makes the difference is knowing the whole Club is behind us. At times it was disappointing to hear comments made about players behind closed doors, especially when I could see the effort put in on the field. Criticism without a purpose or a useful message doesn’t help, encouragement and unity does. If we stick together as players, parents, coaches and supporters, we’ll only get stronger and have more fun.
And finally, this year reminded us of what really matters. We lost someone very special in Lek, who was dearly loved by the whole group. The respect shown by Clubs across Surrey cricket underlined just how widely she was valued. She will be deeply missed, but always remembered, and we’ll be thinking of her when we come together again in 2026.
So yes, 2025 was tough and we have lots to improve on. But it was also a season of character, fight, and glimpses of an incredibly bright future. With so many youngsters stepping up and the squad desperate to put things right, there’s plenty to be excited about for next Summer.
Player of the season: Ben Townsend
This year’s Player of the Season goes to one of the hardest working cricketers I’ve ever played with. Ben demands nothing but the best from himself and his passion for the game is unmatched. At times that passion can boil over, but it’s exactly what drives him to run in hard every over and give everything to win. As a captain, there’s nothing better than having a bowler disappointed at being taken off because they want more, that hunger defines Ben. His performances throughout the season were outstanding, but none more so than his final wicket, charging in one last time to secure our place in the Premier League. Ben never misses training, using even wash outs as a chance to improve. He’s central to our team (both as a bowler and as a character) and this award is a fitting recognition for someone who gave absolutely everything all season.