Sunday saw the finale to the junior cricket season and below is a summary of the teams performance and award winners.

Team Performance
League – P. 9, W. 6, L. 3 & had 1 game conceded as a win for us.
If there was a league, we would of came 2nd and we were the only team to beat league winners Purbrook.
This is an amazing achievement from the boys in so many ways.
• We gave 9 boys their competitive cricket debuts this season.
• We have a real variety of ages, but the core were actually U8s but went as young as U6 with a few actual U9s.
• We gave 20 boys game time out of 26 that trained – other teams will only play boys that are game ready!
• 2 games stood out throughout the season. The final ball win vs Purbrook – they needed 2 from the last ball and Ted bowled their best batter for us to beat them in the only game they lost.
• Secondly, the away game vs Locks Heath whereas a coach everything we had coached throughout the season came together. Firstly as a team we only bowled 8 wides and 6 no-balls and also took 8 wickets against a good side. Then when we batted, we only lost 3 wickets but batted so positively and ran so well that we beat Locks Heath by 82 runs.

Thankyous
• All the boys for turning up every week and making coaching every Friday evening such fun – they mostly listen, seem to enjoy themselves and definitely implement what we practice. Also the effort in the games has always been excellent and it’s one thing I can never fault the boys for.
• Parents for bringing the boys every week, admin & inputting availability and getting the boys to games. Also for helping on match days with setting up the ground, preparing the snacks and drinks, scoring and putting the ground away afterwards – makes my life so much easier and it’s something I really do appreciate so thank you.
• Club Committee – Paddy, Chris, Judith Squires and the club committee who sort out the pitches, training areas, support me constantly and make my life a lot easier.
• Team of Coaches – after week 1 when I had 14 marked down available and then 22 showed up – I was a wondering if I had bitten off a little too much. But we got through that session and Ed offered to help and was brilliant. Ed didn’t just help at training (although that was a great help), Ed took games when I couldn’t make it and scored at the games when I could make it. We also had Alex to help for a few sessions which again was such a help. Not only these 2 though – nearly every week I had the help of Elouise and Niall and it’s great to see youngsters putting their hand up to help and I actually think the boys listened to them more than us adults! Their help ensured the boys coaching is done in smaller groups so that learning is more concentrated but also of a really good quality. This definitely showed in the games and hopefully more will support moving forward.

Now to the awards!

Batter of Year

Top of the runs was James Yarnley with 121, followed by Ottis Peel on 99, William Yarnley on 62 and Archie Charles on 58. The winner though:

• Topped averages with 39
• Only getting out once in 5 innings
• Highest score of 15* in the impressive win vs Purbrook
• Has a really strong batting technique and can score runs all around the ground.
• Batter of Year – Alfie Marks

Bowler of Year

Top of the bowlers this year were both Arthur and Ted with 10 wickets each which is super impressive from both of them. Then Ottis had 7, Alfie 6 wickets and Charlie Haines and William Yarnley 5 wickets.

• Winner was a really hard choice and wish I could give 2 awards out.
• Joint top wicket taker with 10 wickets.
• But had a slightly better average to pip the award of 4.8 compared to 5.5 (both very good).
• This lad always had the hard task of bowling at the death, usually bowling the last or penultimate over.
• He’s developed good pace over the summer to go with his accuracy.
• Bowler of the Year – Ted Brownlee

I can’t explain how hard it was to choose this award and to emphasise this further both achieved something that many cricketers will go through a whole career and never achieve!!! Both boys got a hat-trick this season which is amazing. Arthurs was away at Emsworth and Ted’s was over 2 games taking the last wicket with the last ball vs Purbrook and in his next game vs Locks Heath 2 wickets with his first 2 balls!

Fielder of Year

Generally, we were pretty good in the field all year and actually didn’t drop many catches. Also the impressive thing with our fielding was the backing up and understanding of when to throw the ball for a run-out chance and when just to get it back to the wicket keeper nicely. From the matches James Yarnley had 3 catches and a run-out, Ted 2 catches and William Yarnley 2 catches.

• Winner though had 4 catches and 1 run outs.
• All the catches were off his own bowling – you don’t want to drop those catches!
• Was always energetic in the field, in the right place to back up and always supporting his teammates.
• Great pleasure to give
• Fielder of the Year – Arthur Ferguson

Most Improved

Again, there are so many this award could gone to and there are some others I’d like to mention before announcing the winner.

Luca – has come on so far this year and for his age is developing into a fine cricketer. His bowling has always been steady and consistent, but this year has added the basis of a good batting technique. Luca and Williams partnerships in the middle were really good, not only did they barely get out but also added some really good runs with their running and communication.

Charlie Haines – first season with us and been really enjoyable having him on board. Charlies attitude in training is first class and the development he has made this season is really good. He’s the team’s quiet assassin as although quiet on the pitch he’s always chipping in with wickets and runs. Really good season Charlie.

Jack Stephens – the opposite to Charlie in regards to being quiet but is such a nice lad. Jacks all round cricket has really improved this year and his bowling is now one of the most consistent in the team. With the bat again huge strides were made and Jacks partnership with Thomas away at Locks Heath was so pleasing as they both called and ran so well.

Rory Cormack – another really popular character in the group and again has come on a long way. Rory has always had plenty of energy in the field but has now added a level of game understanding to this. He also opened the batting in most games he played and always got us off to a positive start. Well done Rory.

The winner though:
• Is a new player to the group and there is such a difference from day 1 to now.
• Started a little shy but has now developed into a really good cricketer in all 3 aspects of the game!
• He scored 35 runs in his 5 innings with a high score of 12.
• Took 3 wickets in 9 overs but more impressively an economy rate of only 5.4 runs per over and also got a run-out.
• Attitude at training is always spot on and leads by example.
• Takes on board what we are trying to coach and adheres to the values I believe in.
• Most Improved – Benji Lambert

I’m now going to add in a couple of awards (and a prize) that are not on the club list but mean a lot to me as they are about the team values.

Firstly, I have Teamwork, this could be anything from helping a team mate at training, encouragement at games and just generally showing me that the team is of No.1 importance!

I have 3 winners of this, all for slightly different reasons and all will come up and get a gift from me.

• Rollo Peel – not only the youngest in the squad but has fitted into the group really well and I hope feels a big part of the team. He’s filled in for games even when nervous about playing against bigger kids so that we had a full team – and actually played really well.
• Luca – again one of the younger brigade but at games has the best interest of the team always. Apologises after batting even if he’s batted really well (no-one ever needs to apologise), encourages others at training especially those who are learning the game and is generally just a good teammate and impressive at a young age.
• Willam Yarnley – yes, my son!!! But Will wouldn’t have played that many games this year but filled in several times when we had drop outs to ensure we filled a side! I’m sure most of the boys here would have too. BUT when Locks Heath came to us, they could only get 6 players, to ensure we fulfilled the game William offered to play for Locks Heath instead of Petersfield so we could play 7 vs 7. I thought this was really selfless and a different way of showing teamwork to ensure we got a game!

Next, Respect and this covers many things from listening to the coaches, looking after club and your own equipment, respectful of your teammate and opposition to name a few.

A few lads stood out for this including Charlie, Griff, Ottis, Benji but there was moment that deserved to win this prize.

• In our last ball win vs Purbrook this lad started to celebrate with his teammates as everyone else did but then saw that the Purbrook batter was distraught on the floor. He left his teammates and asked this lad if he was alright and offered him a hand up. It really stood out to me, and I believe is fully deserving of the Respect award. Well done to Arthur Ferguson.

Coaches Player

This lad really deserves this for an outstanding all-round season.

• Second highest run scorer
• 3rd highest wicket taker
• Good in the field and has a great arm.
• Very popular member of the group and excellent attitude to training.
• Puts in real effort at training and you can see is trying to get better every week.
• With the ball can generate some real pace but also understands the need to sometimes slow down for accuracy depending on the game situation.
• With the bat has all the shots and had a great final wicket pairing with James – always running well together and making sure the team finished strongly.
• I hope all the above proves to this boy that he has the attributes to be a really good cricketer and believe in himself.
• Player of the Year – Ottis Peel

Players Player

The only award I have no say on as purely voted for by your teammates!!!! A total of 8 people were nominated by teammates which definitely shows we are a team and not reliant on 1 or 2 players. It also shows that everyone’s effort is appreciated whether at training or in the games.

3rd Place – Ted Brownlee
2nd Place – Ottis Peel

But the Players Player for 2025.

• Had a really strong season with the bat leading the runs with 121 and a high score of 23*
• With that ball always bowled consistently without always the wickets but an economy of 3.1 when bowling at the end showed really good control.
• In the field was excellent with 3 catches and a run-out, as well as numerous excellent efforts when ground fielding.
• He trains well and always has a competitive edge to him whether training or games.
• Gets the hump with his Dad when he doesn’t bat as long as all the other boys in the games at the end of training!

1st Place – James Yarnley – well deserved.

All the players received a player assessment each and it highlights their stats for the season, their playing strengths and then just a summary of the season.

I will let everyone know about winter nets as we get the dates but likely start January and run close to Easter and then back outside after Easter.

Winter well and enjoy your winter sports.