The 2026 season will be remembered as a landmark year for Claygate Cricket Club's Women's Softball team, who stormed to the Surrey Cricket Championship Women's Softball Tier 2 North West title.

Winning nine of their ten league matches and finishing on 186 points, Claygate established themselves as the division's outstanding side. A blend of powerful batting, disciplined bowling and excellent team spirit saw them finish comfortably clear at the top of the table and deservedly crowned champions.

The Road to the Title
24 May: Thames Ditton CC v Claygate CC

Claygate won by 141 runs

The campaign could hardly have started better. Claygate posted an impressive 165-1, recording a net score of 360, before restricting Thames Ditton to just 74-11. It was an emphatic statement of intent and laid the foundations for the season ahead.

21 June: Claygate CC v Hampton Wick Royal CC

Claygate won by 137 runs

Another dominant all-round performance followed. Claygate accumulated 195-3, the highest total of their season, before dismissing Hampton Wick Royal for just 73. Two matches, two huge victories.

25 June: Claygate CC v Esher CC

Esher won by 3 runs

The only blemish on an otherwise perfect season came in a thrilling encounter against Esher. Claygate scored 125-7, narrowly losing by just three runs on net score in one of the closest matches of the campaign.

12 July: Esher CC v Claygate CC

Claygate won by 108 runs

The response was immediate and emphatic. Claygate gained revenge in spectacular fashion, piling up 199-3 before restricting Esher to 91-3 to record one of the largest victories of the season.

14 July: Women's Softball v Girls Under 14s

Women's Softball won by 39 runs

A unique inter-club fixture saw the women's side defeat Claygate Girls Under 14s. The match highlighted the growing strength of the women's and girls' sections and was enjoyed by all involved.

19 July: Sunbury CC v Claygate CC

Claygate won by 48 runs

A strong score of 125-3 proved too much for second-placed Sunbury. Restricting their closest challengers to 112-10 gave Claygate an important victory against one of the division's stronger sides.

26 July: Claygate CC v Thames Ditton CC

Claygate won by 80 runs

Another commanding display saw Claygate make 170-5, before Thames Ditton were held to 110-9. By this stage Claygate were beginning to pull away from the rest of the league.

2 August: Claygate CC v Staines & Laleham CC

Claygate won by 54 runs

Claygate continued their winning streak with a professional performance, scoring 157-7 and limiting Staines & Laleham to 103-7.

9 August: Claygate CC v Sunbury CC 2s

Claygate won by 58 runs

Another crucial clash with a promotion rival ended in Claygate's favour. A total of 135-4 was backed up by disciplined bowling and fielding as Sunbury were restricted to 92-7.

20 August: Staines & Laleham CC v Claygate CC

Claygate won by 64 runs

The champions-elect showed no signs of slowing down. Claygate posted 137-6 and comfortably defended the total to move within touching distance of the title.

23 August: Hampton Wick Royal CC v Claygate CC

Claygate won by 70 runs

The season concluded in fitting fashion with another convincing victory. Claygate completed a league double over Hampton Wick Royal, rounding off their title-winning campaign with their ninth victory from ten league matches.

Star Performers

Batting Leaders

Sarah Kelly led the way with 185 runs from eight innings and was dismissed only once all season, giving her an incredible average of 180.00.

Top run scorers:

Sarah Kelly - 185 runs
Madelaine Jones - 165 runs
Sone Coetzee - 163 runs
Nicola Tavender - 123 runs
Emilia Cross - 96 runs
Sarah Brown - 90 runs

Bowling Leaders

The bowling attack was equally impressive throughout the season.

Sone Coetzee finished as the leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets, while maintaining an excellent economy rate of just 4.19.

Leading wicket-takers:

Sone Coetzee - 17 wickets
Sarah Kelly - 13 wickets
Emilia Cross - 8 wickets
Kirsty Carr - 7 wickets
Sarah Brown - 4 wickets

Particular praise goes to Emilia Cross, whose economy rate of just 3.05 runs per over and six maidens demonstrated outstanding control throughout the campaign.

Champions Together

While the statistics are impressive, the most significant achievement was the way the squad performed as a team. New players were welcomed, confidence grew throughout the summer and contributions came from across the squad.

To finish with nine wins from ten league matches, score heavily throughout the season and claim the championship by such a clear margin is a remarkable achievement.

Congratulations to every player, captain, scorer, supporter and volunteer who contributed to a memorable season.

2026 Women's Softball Champions

Played 10 | Won 9 | Lost 1 | Points 186 | League Winners