After a very successful introduction year in 1999, we entered our ladies into the Surrey Development League.

With the attraction of regular net practice (with qualified coaches) and the chance to play regular competitive but friendly matches the numbers and commitment to the ladies cricket was excellent. From my point of view and the cricket club in general it is refreshing to know that attracting ladies into cricket appears to be popular.

Apart from the assistance the ladies section received both at practice sessions and on match days a special thank you must go to Tara Mcloughlin and Bethan Evans. Without their organisation and enthusiasm my life would have been made a lot harder.

I would like to thank all those people who helped at net practices (Frost, Evans, Lynskey, Barnes, Mike Wilson and even Andy Strand and James Knill) plus those who helped umpire or score during the games. (Trefor Evans, Adrian, etc.)

During the season we only won one of our league games but we performed well and with our bowlers learning to bowl a little straighter we should be able to beat most of the teams we played this year. (too many wides girls!)

Thanks to everyone who has helped and supported the ladies section during the season. To all the ladies who trained or played, give yourselves a big pat on the back and may I say what a pleasure you have been to run again this year.

Keep smiling, practising and above all enjoying your cricket.

Graham Smart (Sports development / Facilities Manager).