Ashford Ladies had a disappointing year in that only two matches were actually played throughout the season.

The two matches were against fairly strong sides from Shepperton and Guildford. Both opponents included players with experience in a higher level and these players proved too strong for Ashford. However, Ashford were not disgraced in either match and our ladies (and girls) performed very creditably in both fixtures.

A number of other arranged fixtures had to be cancelled due to either Ashford or our opponents being unable to field a side. There seems to be a general lethargy within Ladies Cricket for friendly fixtures and all clubs seem to struggle to get sides out for matches with little significance.

All this will change for 2004. Ashford Ladies are entered into Division 3 Group A of the Women’s Cricket Southern League along with 5 other teams. There will be at least 10 fixtures throughout the season providing some tough competitive cricket for the team. This is not a development league but it is the bottom of the ladder with regards to standard within Surrey Cricket so hopefully we will not be too far out of our depth! Please see the enclosed for details of the fixtures.

The 2003 season did, however, see a very encouraging influx of junior girl members and in particular during July and August, there were regularly 8 or more girls down for training/coaching on Wednesday evenings. This will continue for 2004 but in addition, a senior coach has also been arranged to come down regularly to give the senior girls some good, effective and above all enjoyable coaching. Further details will be distributed nearer the start of next season. This should be a wonderful opportunity for the team to progress from where we are now to be a Club with an established ladies section and where the name Ashford is recognised within Ladies Cricket circles.

Ashford does need more lady members. If you have any friends, sisters, cousins, daughters, mothers, grandmothers, aunts, great aunts, etc who may be interested then let them know about the ladies section and bring them down to the club at the start of next season.

If there are any questions or comments you have about the ladies set-up or any ideas you may have for improving things, please let me know. Additionally, if there are any ladies (or men) who would be prepared to assist with the administrative task of running the ladies section, arranging matches, selecting teams, ringing players, etc. then please get in touch.