THERE was a double celebration for Grayswood Cricket Club at the end of the season. The club’s annual Youth Awards recognised the endeavour and achievements of their up-and-coming cricketers, while Alastair Gloak, captain of the championship-winning 1st XI, received the I’Anson Cup from league president Keith Ellis.

Half this season’s first-team squad of 28 players were graduates of the youth section. It was the ability to field promising youngsters alongside an experienced core that gave balance and quality to the team week in, week out.

Back in May, teenager Harry Holmes fearlessly swung his first ball from Tilford’s Mark Ramesar to long-leg for six, securing Grayswood’s fifth consecutive league win.

Ross Donaldson and spinners Max Beckett and Ben Twyford – all young players – also made notable contributions in the side’s most successful season ever. Off-spinner Twyford claimed a five-wicket haul on his first-team debut ­– against Chiddingfold.

Grayswood 1st XI lost only twice all season and were also losing finalists in the Stevens Knockout Cup.

The thriving junior section comprises more than 180 boys and girls, aged from four to 17. Some 15 youngsters a year go forward to their district and county squads, Surrey or Hampshire, and for the first time this year players aged between five and eight have benefited from the ECB’s ‘All Stars’ programme, learning basic skills and respect for the spirit of the game.

Grayswood also offers ‘Chance to Shine’ coaching to primary schools in Grayswood, Shottermill and Camberley. ‘Club Mark’ accreditation confirms that the club is a positive, safe environment for young people.

After receiving the I’Anson Cup, Alastair Gloak, who succeeded brother Andy to the captaincy, shook the celebratory Prosecco from his hair and ascribed the club’s success not to his own 543 runs – average just under 50 – or his 10 catches, but to “having a settled squad of players to call on” and knowing there were always late-order batsmen capable of turning a game around.

In a classic I’Anson game during August, Puttenham worked miracles to reach 210, having been 109-7. Grayswood themselves slumped to 104-7 before numbers 7 to 10 fought back to clinch victory off the last ball with contributions of 25, 64 not out, 25 and 18 not out.

Patient, sometimes destructive opener Tom Barnardo played a vital role this season, while Andy Major struck fear into many a bowler with his lightning strike rate. Dave Handley was outstanding behind the stumps, having the ability and courage to stand up to the pacemen. He brought off seven often improbable stumpings to add to 16 catches and rarely conceded more than three byes in a game.

Of the seamers, Iain Jackson was miserly, Andy Gloak kept a probing length, Cameron Kent had his best strike rate, and Henry Hind was a match-winner against Dogmersfield.

Called up to play at Witley and Tilford, Jon Ashworth secured ‘five-fors’ with his left-arm spin.

Winner of the Most Valuable Player award was Rhys Dodson, who took a six-month sabbatical from a clearly enlightened Australian postal service to experience village cricket in England.

A constant presence at number 3, ‘Doddo’ scored nearly 600 league runs, took 16 wickets and held 13 catches, many at short-leg.

“I was amazed how even arch rival teams treated me in such a friendly way as I came to the crease,” said Dodson, clutching his trophy. “It wouldn’t have been like that back home.”

He adapted his bowling to slower wickets, consistently bowling a foot outside off-stump “just to wear the batsman down.”

Next year, the established players will want to consolidate Grayswood’s proud record of three championships and three second places in ten years, but the forward-looking youth structure will doubtless provide new blood as well.

The 4th XI, which played 16 games last season, was launched as a development team, allowing young players to showcase their potential.