Headley Cricket Club closed out their 150th year of continuous existence with a wonderfully-attended awards night at BOSC with many members and their families as well as a message of growth for 2023.

In this anniversary year, Headley CC played an exciting T20 match against an I’Anson Representative XI, a Legends v Alumni fixture which saw many old faces don the Headley colours once more and the annual President’s match; all held in a celebration of the sesquicentennial achievement.

However, it doesn’t stop there for Headley Cricket Club.

Having secured the use of the excellent facilities at BOSC in recent years alongside their spiritual home of Headley Recreation Ground, the club are looking to grow their memberships from 2023 onwards.

They are seeking additional focus on the youth set-up, Sunday friendly cricket and a women’s section to accompany the thriving Saturday league fixtures which sees three teams playing in the I’Anson League where there was a strong finish by the first XI with four wins out of the last six matches.

The 2022 season also saw Headley Hitters enter the Surrey Slam Sunday indoor league played at Amesbury School, Hindhead.

Chairman Keith Ellis extols the mantra of “many people doing little work” to secure success for the club and this is beginning to show with sub-committees already in place with clear and focused agendas to improve and expand the membership of an inclusive and diverse cricket club.

The awards night was an example of the camaraderie and passion which exists in the club with deserving winners in a number of categories.

George Worman, who has come through the club’s youth system, was the big winner of the night, picking up first- team best bowler and club all-rounder awards.

The classy Calvin Bandi was best batter and the quirkily superstitious Calum Hawtin best fielder with some wonderful glove work throughout the season.

In the second XI, 17-year-old Jack “Bernard” Baldwin was best bowler and newcomer George King was best batter, including hitting the highest league score for the club (90) in 2022.

For the third XI, the dynamic Hazel Wilkinson scooped the top batter gong with youngsters Aaron Bicknell and Tom Rodd as best bowler and fielder respectively.

Mike Hughes, who has dedicated an incredible amount of his time to the club, gushed with pride as he was awarded performance of the year with outrageous figures of five wickets for no runs in 5.4 overs in a third XI fixture against Wood Street Village.

The other awards included Tim Canning following in the footsteps of his father and brother in previous years by winning the best young player, Rhys Pritchard took the most catches for the club playing as wicketkeeper for the second XI for much of the season, Anthony Gentle received the President’s Trophy from club president Jilly Arend for his support to the club in 2022 and last, but not least, Kieran Cook secured the “duck hat” for the most innings without scoring a run.

As Headley Cricket Club look forward to their 151st year, we welcome all as new members whether it be out in the middle or supporting from the boundary.

For those keen on playing there will be training, coaching and matches for all abilities and standards, as well as a social membership for those who wish to be involved.

All members benefit from ten per cent off all food and drink at The BOSC. If you are interested in joining please email [email protected]

Charlie Eve