We are now at the end of July and the U9s season is drawing to a close. This year we’ve actually been going for nearly 7 months, as we started with indoor nets in January at Rodborough. It’s the first time the club has run winter training at this age level and those that attended showed great improvement across the 11 weeks. The extra training certainly seems to have paid dividends!

The outdoor season then started at the end of April. Unfortunately a lack of year 3 kids joining our age group meant we were unable to run a Tier 3 team this season so we have only had a Tier 2 team in operation this year.

It has been great to see all the kids come down for training and matches – particularly in that lovely new Elstead kit! We averaged 12 attendees a session, with a max of 16, and everyone has improved as the season has progressed. Thanks to the kids for giving their best, and thanks to the parents for bringing them along! As coaches we hope everyone had fun.

The Tier 2 season has been amazing - an invincible season with 8 wins out of 8, and in truth only a couple of close games across the season. Every game was a real team effort for which everyone involved should be immensely proud. We were only able to select an individual 'player of the match' for two of our games because so many made contributions - be it batting, fielding or bowling.

Competing in Surrey South Tier 2 is the highest level of cricket there is as U9s in our area, which extended from Frimley to Fernhurst, so going unbeaten is a massive achievement. Some stats:

• An invincible season, with all 8 games won.
• The 165 for 3 scored vs Churt & Hindhead Devils is believed to be the highest ever U9 Elstead batting total.
• We took 67 wickets across our 8 games (17 more than any other team).
• We conceded just 26 wickets in our games (13 fewer than anyone else).
• Those 41 postive wickets were worth 205 runs across the season.
• Our average score for was 103 for 3, against was 80 for 8.
• We took a wicket for every 9 runs scored by the oppo, whereas we scored 31 runs for every wicket we lost.

Although we play pairs cricket at U9, in junior rules cricket (where out is out) we would have bowled out 7 of the teams we faced this season, whilst we would not have been bowled out at all. Going forward the ability to take, and preserve, wickets is what wins matches and while we have some things to work on we are in very good shape as a team, with sensible batters and accomplished bowlers.

A quick re-cap of the season:

• Our first match v Frimley was won by 41 runs. Tellingly for the season ahead, our first bowling over of the summer was a double-wicket maiden from Stan, and we took a massive 10 wickets in this game, including a wonderful catch from Tom which was taken while tumbling backwards and holding on to his hat!

• Next up were Hambledon, and an opportunity for our fielding to shine. Batting first we reached an impressive 106 for the loss of just 2 wickets, which was always going to be a strong score. Hambledon never got close thanks to some good bowling and excellent fielding (including two direct-hit run-outs in an over from Gabe) A win by 54 runs.

• Farnham came to visit next with a consistently strong team that contained some excellent players. The standout moment in this game was the first ball of Stan's second over which was probably the fastest ball delivered all season. It was also deadly accurate, hitting the top of middle and actually knocking the stumps over. Harry and Tom had a telling partnership with the bat that took us over the line for a 31-run win.

• Next we went to Fernhurst which was probably the biggest mis-match of the season on an interesting plastic wicket. Batting second, we reached our target after just 2 overs, and ultimatley won by 65 runs in what was a 6-a-side game. Tom memorably smashed 3x 6s in this game, each one going further than the last!

• Churt & Hindhead Devils were the next team to fall, the small boundaries at Churt providing something of a run-fest. Notable from this match was Tom and Harry's opening partnership of 69 runs - our highest of the season. But in this game we also had one remarkable over bowled by Danny where 5 wickets fell - 3 clean bowled, and 2 runs outs (one by Danny). The Devils were a good and strong side, but this was still our biggest win of the season - by 81 runs - as we posted a massive 165 for 3.

• Back at Thursley we then faced The Bourne - it was a tricky match where once again our bowling made the difference. Stan bowled brilliantly, returning our best bowling performance of the season. His 3 for 4 should really have been 3 for 2 as he was called for a very harsh wide off the last ball of the first over when he'd already taken two wickets without conceding a run, and the umpires felt the Bourne scorecard needed some help. Bourne fielded excellently, and a few catches meant a closer game than maybe it should have been - a 29-run win.

• Off to Haslemere next for a game that should never have been played. A soaking wet pitch and constant showeres, but the oppo were insistent on playing. We shone through the rain, with bowling once more to the fore, and Harry bagged run-out of the season by directly hitting the non-strikers stumps from a position at deep 3rd man. Although the game had to be abandonned with two Elstead overs left unbowled, we were 68 runs ahead, and the opposition conceded.

• Finally we hosted Churt & Hindhead Cobras. It was another close game, won by us taking twice as many wickets as our opponents. Charlie took a stunning catch, sliding forward on his knees after running in from the boundary to take the wicket of Cobras most explosive batter. Cobras had clearly not faced such a good bowling side and were not used to a low-scoring match, won by Elstead by 17 runs.

8 wins from 8 is a massive acheivement from this group of players - every single player consistently contributing to the team's success.

Awards
Our season awards were hotly contested with multiple nominees in each category, and are awarded as follows:

Champage Moment - Danny for the 5-wicket over vs Churt & Hindhead Devils.

Batter - Tom, our top scorer, and we believe also the top scorer in Surrey South.

Bowler - Stan. Most wickets, most maiden overs bowled, and best bowling perfomance of the season.

Fielder - Charlie. Consistent, great behind the stumps, run-outs and an amazing catch.

Most improved - Leo. Incredible progression throughout the season.

Player of the season - Harry. Great leadership and big contributions with bat and ball in every game played.

So that is it now for softball cricket for this group of talented players. Next season is onto hardball cricket with the U11s, and its great that some of our squad have already had a taste of playing with the hard ball (thanks Cliff!). I'm sure they will continue to develop as fine cricketers, and playing up a year will provide the challenge they need in 2025.

Finally a massive thanks to all the coaches and parents who have helped to make the season a success - be it coaching, warming up, crowd control, tea organistion... its all massively appreciated!