Sport In Profile UK Issue 15 | Page 38

Banstead FOLLOW US ONLINE twitter.com/sportinprofile Banstead CRICKET CLUB It is an exciting time for everyone involved with Banstead CC as the club celebrates its 175th anniversary. Sport in Profile Magazine recently caught up with their Membership Secretary Ray Watson to find out more about what the club has been doing to celebrate the occasion. Atmosphere “Banstead CC is on a high at the moment. The playing and social membership has embraced the club’s 175th anniversary. On the field, the First and Second XIs gained promotion to their respective Surrey Championship Premier Divisions whilst the U12s won the NEC league. The U14s won their NEC league zone to reach the overall league play-off. On the social side, members have enjoyed 38 Issue 15 numerous events as well as the traditional August cricket week. The club even gave an interview on Test Match Special.” 175th Anniversary “We wanted to make the year a special one so had originally intended to hold an anniversary game against the MCC and repeat our successful PCA England Masters fixture for a third year. However, some creative club members developed an extensive calendar of events running from March to November. We started with a Comedy Night followed by a Captains’ Wine Tasting and a Cake Competition themed on Test Match Special. TMS producer, Adam Mountford, kindly agreed to allow the winner to present the cake live on air at the Oval Test. That presentation ended up being a full interview with Jonathan Agnew and 12 minutes of coverage about the club. Thanks to Adam and the TMS team for welcoming us onto the show. On the cricket front, we invited Isle of Wight side, Northwood CC, to Banstead, as they are also celebrating 175 years. Banstead CC visited them 25 years ago for our joint 150th anniversaries.”