It has been an amazing winter for the club, as the senior A and B teams, the U16s and the U13s all won their respective leagues in the Indoor League! To cap it off, the A team also won against the Mayor’s team on the presentation evening…
Hambledon A
The Hambledon A Team won the top Division of the Indoor League for the second year running, winning all their matches. They played an exhibition match at the Presentation Evening against the Mayor of Fareham’s Invitation Team in a thrilling 8-a-side match using the entire sports hall. Hambledon were looking the losers, until Ollie Bembridge scored 62 runs (including 6 sixes and 3 fours) as “Last man Standing” to clinch the win for Hambledon.
Hambledon B
The Hambledon B team won the Division 2 title of the Indoor League, having won the Division 3 title last year. They only lost one of their matches. So, next year, they will be playing Div 1 cricket alongside the Hambledon A Team – well done to all!
Hambledon C
The Hambledon C team finished comfortably mid table in Division 3 of the League.
Under 13
The Under 13 Jets team, made up of players from Years 6 and 7, had a busy and rewarding first season of indoor cricket. Managed by Zoe Mitchell, the boys and girls have learned how to play indoor cricket, they have worked together as a team brilliantly, and they won 2 of their matches, no mean feat for their first season. We look forward to seeing them all play again next winter season, when they will all be taller, bigger, stronger and more experienced. 16 boys and girls represented Hambledon in this team, and they did very well indeed in their first season.
The Under 13 Sharks team, made up of players from Years 7 and 8, won every single league match they played, and finished top of the Under 13 League. Steve Hayes managed this team. They also played an Exhibition Match against a team made up of the 6 best players in the Under 13s from the other teams, which they narrowly lost in the last over. 13 boys and girls played for this team, including a couple of the Jets, who played in a couple of key matches when several regular squad members were away and helped them win – all great cricket!
Additionally, Henry Hayes won the Under 13 trophy for “Best Batter”, with a total score of 221 runs in 9 matches at an average of 110.5, with two top scores of 44 not out. He was only out twice in the season, and to score this number of runs when a batter has to retire at 20 is a huge achievement – well done Henry, and also for captaining the side with great maturity as well.
Under 16
The Under 16 Sharks team was managed by Richard Poole and James Jay. They are the younger team at this age group, and they won 2 of their matches, and developed their skills in indoor cricket. 12 boys and girls represented this team, including a few of the Under 13s, playing up admirably with players 3 or 4 years senior to them. This squad have a bright future ahead when they play again next year.
The Under 16 Jets Team was the senior team at this age, and they were managed by Jamie Lewis. They won all their league matches and won the league. In a thrilling Exhibition match at the presentation Evening, they won an exciting last ball decider against 6 of the best players from the other teams. As they proceed into adult cricket, now they are over 16, they thoroughly deserve their success this winter.
And on top of all this, Elliot Lewis won the Under 16 trophy for “Best Batter”, with a total score of 257 runs in 7 matches at an average of 64.25, with two top scores of 50 and 51, both not out. Elliot was also the captain of the Jets, and he led by example all season – many congratulations to Elliot.
Well done to all the players, many thanks to parents for lifting the youngsters to and from the matches, and a special thanks to those parents who coached the teams, scored the matches, and generally supported the events – it wouldn’t work without all the wonderful people who “go the extra mile” for Hambledon Cricket Club.