COLTS 2009

This year we will be running 5 teams (U10’s, U12’s, U14’s, U15’s and U17’s) in our usual league (West Surrey Youth Cricket League) and 1 U17’s team in a league new to us, the ‘Two Counties’ league.

Colts Training for U10’s and U12’s will be on Saturday Mornings starting on 9th May until 11th July from 9:00-10:30am. U14’s will also be on Saturday Mornings from 10:30-12:00. U15’s, U16’s and U17’s will train on Thursday evenings starting on 7th May until 9th July from 7:00-8:30pm. New members are very welcome.

The coaching team will be lead by Geoff Molloy; ECB level 2 qualified coach, ably assisted by a number of suitably qualified club members. Assisting in the coaching the younger colts are 3 older colts who have a ‘young leaders’ qualification. This year we will also have the benefit of Corey Lowe, our overseas player, and we hope to employ 1 or 2 external coaches thanks to some very generous sponsorship from Surrey University.

We have over 100 colts ranging from the ages of 8 – 17 years and we are looking to build on our excellent 2008 season:

• This is the first year of competitive cricket for many of the U10’s squad, but bolstered by a number of more experienced players, we are confident of a good first year.
• The U12’s are a squad with great potential, last year finishing in mid-table after a number of very close games. This year, under the leadership of manager Michael Price they will hope to convert those close losses into wins.
• The U14’s are an extremely enthusiastic squad brought on by their manager, Miles Trueman. There are some extremely talented players in the squad and we are hopeful of great things this year.
• The U15’s have shown a great improvement over the last two years, not having won a game until U13’s level but with the introduction of some new players and with some existing players beginning to fulfil their potential, manager Paul Whitnall will be hoping for a top 3 finish this year.
• The U16’s have finished top of their league for the past two years, before losing in the semi-finals. Unfortunately there is no U16’s league to enter so they will be playing in the ‘Two Counties U17’s league’ against the likes of Farnham and Guildford. However after two successful years they will be confident of mounting a successful challenge.
• The U17’s also won their league last year but unfortunately were not able to field a side for the semi-final. This year, playing in the correct age group they will be hoping for more success.

For the second year Merrow will be entering a team into the ‘Surrey Trust Development league.’ This is a league where the sides are made up of 5 adults and 6 U18’s (four of whom must be Under 16). It is a 40 overs a-side match with coloured clothing, an Orange Ball and Orange stumps. We are very grateful to Surrey University for sponsoring us in this league.