A very successful League campaign for Caterham CC U13s was completed on Sunday 29th July with a resounding victory over Newdigate by 78 runs which confirmed Caterham as East Surrey Colts League Champions for 2014. This is the second successive year the same group of players has brought home silverware after winning the U12 Cup in 2013, and it was the clubs’ first Colts League title since winning the same age group in 2009. After being put into bat Caterham put together a commanding total of 155 for 6 thanks to James Murphy (32 retired - 3 sixes and 3 fours), Billy Minchella (31 retired - 2 sixes and 4 fours) plus Connor Cassar (20 not out). The home sides reply got off to a disastrous start as David Hocking struck in his first over, the second of the innings, and then four wickets fell in the third over following a run out off the first ball before James Murphy took a hat-trick (all clean bowled) as Newdigate slipped to 4 for 5, and then soon after they were 17 for 7 after Drew Murphy took 2 for 2. As Caterham ringed the bowling changes to give everyone but the keeper a bowl Newdigate managed to edge their way to 77 all out with fittingly, James Murphy (4 for 8) taking the final wicket to round off a great day for the all-rounder.

Caterham finished the season with 10 wins and just one defeat, by 1 run against Chipstead, Coulsdon & Walcountians. The batting was lead by Joel Boorman who in scoring 207 League runs, and having to retire in half of his innings, to be the leading run-maker in the League, and supported by James Murphy (168 runs), Drew Murphy (133 runs) and Robert Cousins (111 runs). The Murphy twins led the bowling statistics with James (14 wickets) and Drew (10) the leading wicket-takers. James being the Leagues’ leading wicket-taker in 2014.

Caterham Colts Manager, Tony Parrett, said after the game: “This has been a tremendous success for this group of players. Last years’ cup success was attributed by some to the presence of 3 Under-14 girls (allowed to play down two years in boys cricket at that time) but after a rule change for 2014 it was down to the boys. We have a small squad and you will see that we only used 15 players, three of which only played one game, so we basically used 12 players through the season. Like any side of course we have some key players but we have not won this on their performances alone, there are many others who have contributed when needed with bat and ball. The performances of Joel Boorman and the Murphy twins (James and Drew) speak for themselves but the support from Alex Moore, Billy Minchella, Jack Treacher, David Hocking, Connor Cassar and the others have been important together with the consistent availability of the players. A special mention also to Colin Mico who has coached this group of players throughout the Winter training sessions and all Summer.”