63 boys, 6 league entries and 86 matches in total meant a busy and fruitful year for the Under 11s. Some experienced heads and new recruits saw competitive cricket at Tier 1 and Tier 2 level. Our rotation policy and wish to give all players valuable game time at Tier 1 level saw us competitive in all leagues but securing honours in none. Our Tier 2 boys fared better, finishing 3rd in a division of 11 but equal on points with the top 2, defeated only by the early season weather and head to heads against our competitors. With many debutants it was a great year for all, especially at Tier 2 level.
10 of the boys in our age group were part of the Surrey Performance Programme this year far more boys than any other single club in the county, highlighting the real strength in depth of the age group. Well done to all those boys involved. 4 of them went on to gain full Age Group Match Caps this year so special mentions go to, Tom Hooke, Sam Hawkins, James Siveyer and Barney Aston. Well done to all of you.
The Surrey Cup proved the highlight of the year with 3 entries for the age group. 2 teams falling in the first round giving them Plate and 100 Format experience but by round 3 only 1 Esher team remained in the Cup. The Esher Griffins were handed a bye in round one then a forfeit in round 2 followed by comprehensive wins versus Walton and then Teddington, finding themselves winners in the final over versus Woking and Horsell at Fortress Imber in the quarter final securing a semi-final away to Spencer on a balmy Friday evening in late July. Batting first a competitive total was set and thanks to a tight fielding and bowling performance a comfortable victory was secured with a month to wait for finals day!
The final versus Horsley and Send was played at Valley End CC on Finals Day on Monday 29th August is a match that will live long in the memory. Batting first and keen to put on a sizeable score, being 0 for 3 after the first over was not part of the plan. Thanks to an unbeaten and retired 26 n.o. from Sam Hawkins the boys somehow scrambled to 88 off their allotted overs giving them something of a total to defend. And defend they really did. The opening overs were some of the quickest, hostile, aggressive and ultimately wicket taking bowling ever seen in the age group from Marley Gould and Tom Hooke taking 2 wickets a piece and reducing the opposition to 11/4 after 6 overs. Supported brilliantly by the rest of the bowling attack and focused and determined fielding, Horsley and Send were eventually bowled out for 44 from 13.1 overs giving our boys a victory in the Surrey Cup that looked far from likely just 90 minutes earlier. A proud day for everyone associated with the age group and especially well done to all boys involved in the cup success.
In the well- attended end of season event awards were given in special recognition for the season. 2 players received ‘Manager’s Awards’ in recognition of their determined and resilient approach throughout the year. Well done to Dylan Pritchard and James Higgins. The boys themselves were then asked to select their Player of the Year with 2 boys securing the most votes. Well done to Sam Hawkins and Zach Patel. It’s been a great year for the age group which bodes well for future years. We hope to see many of the boys at Winter nets in preparation for the 2023 season. Finally, a special thanks to all the volunteer managers, scorers, umpires and refreshment providers. It’s really appreciated by the club. Thanks all!!