2021 saw the team secure the Div 5 East title in the 4th XI’s debut league season. After some geographical discussions with the league, we were promoted / moved to Div 4 West with the general consensus that it would greatly reduce journey times for those playing or transporting YCs around the county.
In true Esher form, at the halfway stage of the season we’d won 4 and lost 5 doing enough for a respectable mid-table position. By the eve of the last day of the season we were in third place, playing away at second place Walton, who had beaten us earlier in the season, knowing whoever wins would get promoted, but if the heavens opened, which looked likely, then an abandoned match would leave us 3rd.
Skipper Burton won the toss and fielded. Walton looked solid at 48 without loss and then not so solid at 76 all out with the bowling of Chris Parrish, Tom Burnett and Dan Dickenson bamboozling the opposition. Walton made us work for it though and a gritty knock of 47 not out from Darren Helwick saw us home, four wickets down. Later in the bar, we found out that 1st place Valley End tied with Chessington in what must have been a gripping match and so Esher had jumped from 3rd place to 1st and won the league!
Across the season, we used 72 different players with a hearty mixture of young and old – testament to the size of the playing membership we have at Esher, but also the logistical challenges of availability and appeasing everyone with appropriate game time.
Of particular note, it’s been great to welcome new players like Jack Park and Shery Parhaar, see the return of Tim Clews and be part of a number of YC’s making their first steps into adult league cricket including Priyesh Patel, Adam Helwick, Henry Harrison, Ollie Hamilton, Will Hamilton and others, all of whom acquitted themselves excellently.
Notable highlights through the season included Tom Lenton getting faster every match, leading the wicket taking for us with 20 @ 12.70 including a personal best of 7/22 against Ripley, closely followed by Tom Burnett with 19 @ 13.37. There was also a classy 5/18 from James Britton who we hope to see more of next season.
There was only really one contender for player of the season though. Step forward Darren Helwick, scoring 432 at an incredible 86.40 including a match winning 138 and 101 both against Chessington.
My thanks to Mike Old, Sachin Patel, Chris Parrish, Jess Richman and Gareth Narinesingh who all stood in as captain at different times with great aplomb. All in all a highly enjoyable season was had and we look forward to 2023.
