The 3rd XI enjoyed a superb 2025 campaign, securing promotion and finishing just one win shy of the league title.
The season began shakily, with narrow defeats to Sunbury and Shepperton, both of which were lost in the final five overs. However, the side showed outstanding resilience to bounce back and win the next seven matches in a row. This run of form underlined the strength of Esher’s adult cricket and the depth of talent throughout the club.
Season Highlights
The 3rd XI provided a vital springboard for players to showcase their ability and push for higher honours. Will Hamilton led the way with the bat, averaging 56 and earning a call-up to the 2nd XI. A core group of experienced players anchored the side, guiding younger talent and maintaining high standards throughout the campaign.
The turning point came with a statement win over Ham & Petersham 1st XI: Will Hamilton (54) and Tim Clews (55) built a defendable total before Jack Park tore through the opposition with 5-17, kick-starting the promotion charge.
Other standout moments included:
Walton Thriller: Charlie Winder’s rapid 52, a stunning run-out from Marly Gould, and three key wickets sealed a last-over win.
Ollie Hamilton Hat-Trick: A match-winning spell against Staines & Laleham 2nd XI that flipped a low-scoring contest on its head.
Sunbury Revenge: Max Chambers, on debut, claimed 4-19 as Sunbury were bowled out for 101, the perfect response after the early-season defeat.
Home Walton Win: Charlie Green (36) and Max Simpson (36) shared a crucial partnership, backed by a clinical bowling display led by Shiv Patel (3-19).
The Title Race
By mid-season, Esher were firmly in the hunt for the title. A narrow defeat to Ham & Petersham 1st XI meant there was no margin for error, but the side responded brilliantly. Will Hamilton’s imperious 89 and Austin Willman’s fluent 61 powered a comfortable win over Oxshott 2nd XI, before emphatic victories against Walton-on-Thames and Balham & Tooting kept the promotion charge alive.
It all came down to a final, winner-takes-all clash with Malden Wanderers. On a pitch where runs are usually plentiful, Esher fought hard to post 183, thanks to Andrew McCallum (52) and Angus Barrett (49). Despite a spirited effort in the field, Wanderers chased the target with three overs to spare, clinching the title.
Undeterred, Esher bounced back in style, sealing second place and promotion with a commanding win over Staines & Laleham, setting the stage for an exciting 2026 campaign at a higher level.
Standout Performances
Batting Highlights:
• Will Hamilton – 108* vs Shepperton 2XI, 89 vs Oxshott 2XI
• Mark Hopkinson – elegant 98* on a tricky surface vs Balham & Tooting 1XI
• Orson Jones – 90* in a rain-curtailed match against Oxshott 2XI
• Austin Willman – 80 vs Shepperton 2XI
• Max Chambers – match-defining 76* vs Staines & Laleham 2XI
Bowling Highlights:
• Kunal Mishra – sensational match-winning 7-9 vs Walton-on-Thames 3XI and 4-13, including a stunning caught-and-bowled, against Shepperton 2XI
• Jack Park – 5-17 vs Ham & Petersham 1XI
• Tom Burnett – 4-6 vs Balham & Tooting 1XI
• Ollie Hamilton – 4-8 vs Ham & Petersham 1XI
3rd XI player of the season
Max Simpson is deservedly named the 2025 3rd XI Player of the Season for his all-round contributions that underpinned Esher’s promotion.
With the ball, Max’s relentless accuracy and ability to build pressure made him a constant threat, often creating breakthroughs that others capitalised on. But it was his performances with the bat that truly defined his season. Regularly arriving at 7 or 8, Max rescued innings under pressure, forging crucial lower-order partnerships that turned tight contests into victories.
His standout moment came in the crucial clash against Walton, where his composed 36 in a tense chase steadied the innings and swung momentum decisively in Esher’s favour.
Max’s calmness under pressure, consistency, and knack for delivering when it mattered most made him not just a reliable contributor but a genuine match-winner; a key figure in a season that saw Esher 3rd XI take a deserved step up to the next level.