Gulval Cricket Club ground refurbishments ready for new season

Having spent a decent amount of money on refurbishing the ground and also splashing out on a new scoreboard, Gulval Cricket Club are ready and raring to go when the new season starts on April 17.

The club will be facing off against St Stephen Cricket Club today (Sat April 10) in its last friendly before the start of the season and members are confident they'll be in good shape come the first league game.

The new scoreboard ready for the new season

Ivor Eddy, one of the club's groundsmen, said: "We've put a new front on the score box, it's a new electric one, we've gone up market, so it's quite a big one.

"We thought we'd move on with the times a bit now, and it's now been painted and it's now up to scratch.

"We've been doing quite a bit around here at the moment.

"The wicket has just been done and ready to go, we've got the ground looking A1, we've refurbed the bar and put some more stuff in there.

"It was time we put a new cooler in the bar and got rid of the last one, so we've been spending a lot at the moment, but these are the things you've got to do haven't you?

The pitch was once a broccoli field.

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Gulval CC are looking to have a decent season with new players including a new captain.

"We've got a new chap being captain this year so we want to give him a good backing.

"The captain and vice-captain have been gearing everything up, we had a practice session here last night, I think we had about 20 here, it was very good.

"One of the guys that does the practice does fitness over in Australia and he put them through their paces last night, running, bowling, batting and all sorts."

New captain is Jake Batten, who started at club when he was ten years old and has risen through the ranks. 

Ivor added: "There's some good players playing here and we've got a good ground where we own everything.

"We've done quite a bit over the years, if you came here now you'd never believe it was just a broccoli field at one time.

The ground comes complete with absolutely stunning views.

Roger Surrell, the club's secretary, said: "We've been getting everything tidied up and spick and span for the season starting next week and hopefully we can have a decent season.

The club have also said they're always on the lookout for new players and anyone interested in playing or wanting to find out more can email: odge49@gmail.com.

The club was founded in 1883 and is two years off its 150 year anniversary.