THE Surrey Cricket Championship celebrates its 50th anniversary this season and Division One promises to be particularly competitive, especially with Farnham and relegated Guildford renewing an old rivalry.
Tom Grimes will lead Farnham out against Chipstead in the opening fixture at the Park this Saturday.
Farnham beat Oxted & Limpsfield by two wickets in pre-season, but, due to the weather, that was the only one of three warm-up games to be completed.
However, Farnham’s newly-acquired batting cage is already in use and will be a great asset in training throughout the season.
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Jamie Strachan is the new captain of the 2nd XI who visit East Molesey in their first 2nd XI Premiership game. The team will be looking to follow up last year’s best-ever fifth position in this strong league.
Farnham 3rd XI won promotion last season and new skipper Jamie Jones will be at the helm when they travel to Woking & Horsley in their first 3rd XI Division Two fixture.
Farnham have entered the Edwards T20 Cup this year and are already through the first round to ‘Super Monday’ on May 28.
The club have invested heavily in training equipment and infrastructure over the close season and are determined to progress further, both on and off the pitch, this year.
There has already been success in the junior section, with the U13 Black Caps defeating Valley End in the ECB Cup.
The weather has disrupted junior coaching, but the regular Friday evening sessions will resume this week for over 100 youngsters in age-groups from U8 to U13, starting at 6.15pm. Returning and new members are always welcome.
A revised junior coaching structure has been put in place under Russell Golding and more ECB qualified coaches have joined the team.
Farnham’s senior teams train on Tuesdays (6-8pm) and Thursdays (6-7.30pm).
• Dan Higgins went out on a high note as captain of Churt, leading them to Division Three of the Surrey Championship after back-to-back promotions. Home-grown batsman Toby Finneran is the new skipper as Churt start with a home game against Cheam.
• Haslemere also won promotion in the Championship, finishing champions of Division Five. Under durable captain Leigh Thayre, they journey to Maori Oxshott in their opening Division Four match.
• The Fullers Surrey League also gets underway. Churt 2nd XI are away to Horley II (2nd XI Div I) and Haslemere 2nd XI entertain Frimley II (2nd XI?Div II).