GRAYSWOOD, I’Anson champions for the third time in six seasons, had much to celebrate at the club’s annual general meeting.

Sadly the technology didn’t work too well as members attempted an international link-up to award the Most Valuable Player Trophy to Rhys Dodson, now back home in Australia.

With ‘Doddo’ still in bed, captain Alastair Gloak paid tribute both to his contribution on the field, 1,267 runs and 32 wickets, and to the way an Aussie had fitted so well into a Pommie environment.

The reintroduced Saturday 4th XI played an important role for the club. The youth section continues to produce a succession of talented players and the 4th XI provides a crucial transition for young players into adult cricket, a fact underlined by all three team awards for the team going to U15 players.

Henry Rigden won the batting award, Matthew Howard took the bowling trophy and the captain’s awards went to Kent Chapman and William Creswell.

The highlight of the evening was the award of the Ben Williams Rising Star Memorial Trophy to Max Beckett, a talented young spinner.

This award was introduced three years ago in memory of a young Grayswood player, Ben Williams, who tragically died aged 14 in 2006 of a heart muscle disorder.

The Ben Williams Trust, the club’s chosen charity, supports children with arrhythmias and also youth cricket initiatives in Surrey and Hampshire.

As league champions, Grayswood will host a match against the I’Anson President’s XI this summer and will take the opportunity to raise funds for the trust.

Other trophy winners at the AGM:

Bowler of the Year – Henry Hind (76 wickets). Batsman of the Year – Cameron Kent (1,446 runs).

1st XI: Batting – Rhys Dodson; Bowling – Cameron Kent; Captain’s Award – Dave Handley.

2nd XI: Batting – Callan McIntyre; Bowling – Andy Coxall. Captain’s Award – Andy Coxall.

3rd XI: Batting – Scott Comber; Bowling – Rohan Nittur; Captain’s Award – Ali Dow.

Sunday XI: Batting – Iain Jackson; Bowling – Matt Eisenhower; Captain’s Award – James Perrin.

Club chairman Malcolm Gloak reported on both short and medium-term plans to develop the club’s facilities. He thanked sponsors Keats Estate Agents for their support over the last two years and stressed that the club will be looking for further opportunities to develop sponsorship in the coming year.

Senior training has already started, with net sessions at Amesbury School, Hindhead on Sunday mornings (10-11am).

Structured coaching will take place at the Surrey Cricket Centre in Guildford on Thursday nights (7-9pm). These sessions will start on Thursday, March 22.