Friends of Surrey Cricket

FRIENDS OF SURREY CRICKET

Clive Moon (1st XI umpire for most of the season and club secretary), Erika Bonnywell (1st XI scorer) and John Worgan (bar manager) were invited by the club to take up complimentary tickets offered by Surrey CCC for the floodlit Pro-40 match vs Somerset on Tuesday 11th September. Tickets were offered to all clubs affiliated as 'Friends of Surrey Cricket' as part of an end of season Clubs event, and were intended for members who have made an outstanding contribution to their club during the 2007 season.

Clive, Erika and John were accompanied by Dave Gibney, which made for an interesting split in loyalties during the evening - with Clive and Dave both hailing from the Cider County and Erika and John fervently supporting the local team. A high scoring and entertaining match, watched from a great view point in the second tier of the new OCS stand, was lit up by fine centuries from Marcus Trescothick and Mark Ramprakash. The climax saw Surrey throw away a winning position, with Somerset prevailing in the last over by 4 runs - leading to high fives from Clive and Dave, and leaving Erika in particular grumbling with her head in her hands! As if the trials of following the W&H 1st XI week after week weren't enough for her!

Thanks must go to Clive, Erika and John for all their efforts this year as in previous years. They were truly worthy beneficiaries of an enlightened invitation from Surrey CCC".

The same thanks should also go to Charlie Johnson (ground manager) and Billy Hargan (4th XI captain, Under 11 Manager) who were offered tickets but were unable to attend the event

I attach more about W&H's new status for the coming season as a Friend of Surrey Cricket. This comes as an extension to our affiliation to the Surrey Cricket Board and provides the club with a number of benefits as follows:-

1) 5 fully transferable Friends of Surrey Cricket membership cards. These give free entry to most Surrey matches, as follows:-

- Liverpool Victoria County Championship

- Natwest pro-40 league

- Friends Provident Trophy

- All non twenty20 domestic games at the Brit Oval.

Cardholders will be able to use member's facilities in the pavilion at the Brit Oval. The passes will also get holders in to Guildford or Whitgift School for the festivals, but not the members areas.

I haven't yet worked out how best to keep or distribute these cards so that all members of the club have access to them and we can get maximum value from them. So for now, if you are interested in getting hold of one for a particular game, please let me know.

2) % discount (ie £12 tickets) to Surrey's regional T20 matches at the Oval, with seats on the OCS balcony. Let me know if you want any because I need to order by 25th May.

3) An invitation to take 30 under 16s (and 6 adults) to 1 day of a county championsip, Friends Provident, or Pro-40 match at the Oval

4) 17.5% discounts on Surridge kit at Surrey CCC's shops at the Brit Oval and the Cricket Centre in Burpham. You need one of the membership cards to take advantage.

5) 10% off net bookings at the Brit Oval or the Surrey Cricket Centre at Burpham.

6) A bat signed by Surrey CCC, which will be available through a raffle on behalf of the Club a little later this season.

7) Entry for the club in to a ballot for all Friends clubs for a box at the Oval for this year's test match.

8) Access to various coaching courses and fund-raising opportunities.

So there's plenty for members of the Club to take advantage of. Please let me know if you want to know more about any of these benefits. Details have also been pinned to the board in the clubhouse.