The summer of 2020 was like no other summer on record. We can’t play, surely we can play, we might be able to train, we can’t train, we can train, we can play. The season was finally given the go ahead but there was one tiny snag, all the league employees were on furlough so it was every man for himself. Duncan and Alisa set about creating their own Esher Covid leagues and we were off. We managed to have 31 young cricketers sign up for 15 weeks of quality coaching, we arranged 29 matches (losing 3 to the weather) plus 3 internal fixtures. I think we can all agree that was a huge effort from everyone involved to ensure we got as much cricket as possible given the circumstances. Whilst other clubs around us struggled, Esher flourished in difficult circumstances largely due to the passion and persistence of Duncan to deliver for the YC’s.
I am delighted to say that all of our members were invited to at least 10 matches each which was no mean feat. We started the season with two tough fixtures back to back against Horsley and Send on the Saturday and Esher sending two teams to Valley End on the Sunday. Saturday was an early contender for game of the season with both teams going toe to toe with bat and ball, Esher too powerful with the bat, 4 players retiring and then backing it up with some terrific bowling and fielding, epitomised by a Frendo one handed snaffle in the covers to seal a comfortable victory. In game 1 on Sunday revenge was on the cards as Valley End had snatched the league away from us on the final day of the previous season. Buoyed from Saturday’s terrific performance, Esher made light work of a quality outfit and ran away easy winners. Game 2 ended with a narrow defeat, although this was the first game of the season for many of the Esher players, along with the introduction of a number of new members to the club.
Games came thick and fast with fixtures against AJ, Weybridge and Wimbledon in the space of 5 days. The AJ game was a barnstormer, not least because the YC’s were still flying high from their electric start to the season. Esher batted first and faced some superb bowling from an AJ team strengthened by Wimbledon players who were turned off by Wimbledon using incredible still at U10! Esher were restricted to 99 which would have been a lot less had it not been for a courageous middle order partnership from Carswell and Frendo. We felt it was at least 20 short on a questionable pitch with lightning fast outfield. AJ came out of the blocks quickly and were well ahead of the rate early on. Heslop caught a screamer on the boundary, Howzat, AJ umpire signalled a 6?, Esher umpire signalled out, confusion, tears, shouting and that was just the parents… after much furore it was deemed 6 and Esher were under yet more pressure. Some excellent bowling by messers Giles, Rawlinson and Heslop pegged AJ back, needing 10 off the final over Chambers bowled a near perfect death over supported by super calm wicket keeping to top off a MOM performance from Carswell, Esher won by the narrowest of margins, a close call and the boys realised they wouldn’t have it all their own way this season.
Weybridge were up next and Esher once again struggling, losing 4 early wickets in the first 4 overs. Cometh the hour, cometh the men once again, Carswell and Frendo to the rescue, building another defendable, yet light on runs total. Throughout the summer availability was akin to the okey kokey, you’re in, you’re out, you get the picture and today was no different. Thankfully we were able to call on 2 talented U9 YC’s who did not disappoint. A highlight of the season for me was Harry Harding steaming in off 25 paces for his first ball in hard ball cricket, totally unfazed he sends a thunderbolt down the other end, falling head over heels in the process, skittles the batsmen sending the bails most definitely to Wales! Esher definitely could have been brighter in the field but the sign of a good team is winning when you don’t play your best, which was still to come. Wimbledon were too strong for Esher on the day, with notable performances from Josh Taylor Marsh and William Clarke.
East Molesey were up next, looking for revenge from the previous year. After exchanging over 50 messages with the EM coach about format, wides, no balls, retiring score, max overs, it was clear he wanted the scalp of Esher on his CV. With none of us able to get away on holiday, this game was our holiday, played on a Friday night in August, sun blazing, BBQ fired up and EM wonderful hospitality on show. The game got off to a great start, Kunsh celebrating his birthday as skipper, electing to bat first and racing to 30 retired demonstrating a blistering array of powerful hitting, receiving plaudits from all corners of the ground. The batting didn’t stop there with Hulme, Heslop and Giles all getting in on the act, posting an imposing total for EM to chase. Esher did their best to let them into the game with some uncharacteristic sloppy fielding however the total was too tall and Esher were comfortable (not the whole game) victors. All that was left to do was to bike home after a couple of shandies… easier said than done!
Next up was Banstead and Malden Wanderers, two tough fixtures. Banstead posted 130 off their 20 overs with another highlight of the season. Their skipper came into bat after their excellent opener had retired with the advice of the coach ringing in his ear, play yourself in… First ball walloped over mid-wicket for six, what does coach know…. Esher were behind the rate the whole way, losing wickets at crucial times but once again were able to call on Frendo to steady the ship and then some immaculately clean hitting from Hulme turned the match on its head. From miles behind the rate to racing ahead, Esher cruised to an unlikely victory with 10 balls to spare, looking forward to the return fixture as Banstead were a quality outfit. Malden Wanderers were a solid team, their batting proving too strong for Esher on the day, strong bowling displays from Ryan and Marley.
East Molesey again, Thames Ditton and Weybridge were next up, tough fixtures the highlight being the amazing game with Thames Ditton, involving 31 wickets, including a hattrick for Armaan, Esher losing out on the final ball by one run. The game was enjoyed so much by the boys and parents that a return fixture was arranged for the end of the season.
An Esher U10 first came next, a double header, two games in one day, an afternoon match vs Wimbledon and a return fixture with H&S, who have brought out their big guns and sent their best possible team. Unfortunately the Wimbledon match was called off due to the weather with Esher firmly in the driving seat, quick turnaround and H&S were next. Expecting a repeat of the first game of the season, Esher were just to good on the day and sent H&S packing with a professional display of cricket all round. It was the bowling that won the day, fast accurate and consistent.
A mismatch against Ashtead set up the big one, Spencer at home, at SHS for the first time. I arrived early to set up, it’s like fort knox but the scene was set! Esher won the toss and put Spencer in to bat. On a tricky wicket Esher bowled extremely tightly and used some excellent fielding positions to restrict Spencer to only 100 off their 20 overs. Esher needed 5 an over to claim a first victory against Spencer… straightforward I hear you say… Not so fast, Esher never got started but were always in touch, in need of a partnership, stability came in the form of Hulme, Temperley and Rawlinson. It’s not a game with Spencer without controversy and this was no exception. Temperley, scoring at a healthy rate scampered a single to square leg, it was tight but everyone thought he’d made his ground. The YC backing up appealed, everyone looked puzzled, including the WK and umpires, the bail was on the ground, had the WK knocked off the bails, or the wind or was it a direct hit? Direct hit and we are in trouble, the umpires resorted to asking the player, did he hit the stumps? He thought he had, although didn’t appeal and so the dreaded finger was raised. Unfortunately Esher never recovered and fell 12 runs short, there always next year.
7 games in the last 7 days of the season saw us play against Chobham, Banstead, Epsom and Wimbledon, securing comfortable wins in all four fixtures. Also playing return fixtures with Malden Wanderers, Chobham and Thames Ditton, exacting revenge on the earlier last ball thriller rounding off the season very nicely indeed with 6 wins out of 7!
End of Season Awards
The End of Season awards are never easy, however I base my decisions for the awards on a number of criteria including statistics but also take into account attitude, aptitude and general love of the game.
Bowling: William Clarke – Will improved dramatically throughout the season and has all of the basics of a strong bowling action. Working on his variation during the winter will turn him into a very accomplished bowler indeed.
Batting: Charlie Hulme – Charlie provided moments of genius throughout the season and hit the best cover drive in training I have ever seen! He plays with a smile on his face and popped up with a number of vital innings facing hostile bowling with aplomb, relishing the challenge and stepping up to the plate when his team needed him.
All-rounder: Will Carswell – A breakout season for Will, contributing all over the field with bat, ball and behind the stumps. Consistency is the key now to further improvement and it was his stubborn innings at the start of the season and his wicket taking towards the end of the season that clinched this award.
Most Improved Player: Marley Gould – It is fair to say Marley was ‘raw’ at the start of the season but he is most certainly a quick learner. Bowling quickly and aggressively to everyone in the nets and hitting powerfully with the bat. Lots more to come from this YC I’m sure.
Clubman: Ryan Grogan – Such a great clubman, playing at short notice, in any team, against any opposition and at all times with a smile on his face. Always enthusiastic and happy to help the team Ryan has really impressed the coaches this year with his positive attitude which will stand him in great stead for the future.
Player of the Year: Ben Frendo – This decision was absolutely unanimous from all corners of the coaching team. Ben showed maturity beyond his years in a numbers of innings this year coming to the rescue for his team with at least 3 match winning innings. Ben’s bowling was consistent throughout and it was this consistency in line and length that captured so many victims. The final piece of the jigsaw is of course in the field and Ben sets extremely high standards for himself and his team. Catch of the season in the first game and a number of direct hit run outs, diving stops and four saves cinch the converted player of the season award for a very deserving YC, well done Ben.
No one could have predicted what happened this year, did we get everything right, probably not, did we try our best, absolutely, was everything with the best intentions to get as many young cricketers out playing, 100%. It wouldn’t have been possible without the tenacity and unwavering support of the club and in particular Duncan and his team of coaches. I am sure you all agree the use of the younger coaches was a triumph and something we hope to replicate in years to come.
Thank you to everyone who helped throughout the season, providing match teams and helping to umpire/score/match manage when required. Special mentions to Ali Carswell for her devotion to Spond to Neha and Sanjay Kavia for scoring throughout the season and to Jonathan Marsh, Susan Clarke and Amir Naviwala for assisting with the management of the matches I wasn’t at, I couldn’t have done it without you. Look forward to seeing you all next year, hopefully under very different circumstances!