Princes Risborough do a right royal job

13 April 2006

Some of those who helped out at Princes Risborough: Paul Daly, Graham Linger, Andy Hitchcock, Steve Greaves, Matthew Greaves, Brian Piggott, John Bushby and Jo Greaves

Resplendent in their NatWest CricketForce 2006 T-shirts about 20 members of Princes Risborough Cricket Club set about pre-season preparations with a will at their Horsenden Lane ground.

Outside grass was cut, pitches rolled and fences repaired and repainted.

Opening bowler and ECB-qualified coach Andy Hitchcock was well and truly caught up in the action - as the tallest man around he was in charge of getting the netting onto the Club's newly-acquired roll-on nets.

With assistance from Andrew Pitt he disentangled himself and the nets are now ready for action. "This is just what we've needed for our juniors," said Andy, "they can now practise safely on the grass surface when it's dried a bit and, of course the seniors will be able to use them too."

Although the frame measures some 7m x 3m and it's 3m high, the nets, which cost just under £1,000 and were bought with the help of a £500 grant from the Lord's Taverners, can be moved by two people.

Indoors second team skipper Graeme Pitt led a band of painters who had moved on from the newly-retiled shower area and clubroom to apply a fresh coat to the kitchen.

The Daly family tackled a store room, not redecorated for nearly 40 years and now being converted for use as a changing room for the umpires; father Paul managing to get nearly as much paint on the walls as he did on himself!

"All in all it was a very good effort and we all enjoyed ourselves" said chairman Steve Greaves. "In fact it was so successful that another working party was arranged for the following Saturday with a couple more T-shirts still available for those who missed out the first time.

"New sponsors, social and playing members of all ages and standards are always welcome," added Steve.