Volunteers prepare cricket grounds for new season

Supporters and volunteers have rallied round to help the area's flood hit cricket clubs get ready for the new season.

The NatWest CricketForce volunteering initiative has been spurring people on everywhere.

But supporters of Hurley Cricket Club, in Shepherds Lane, have an uphill battle, despite the 20 or so helpers who gave their all on Saturday.

President Colin Ainger said: "All the work had to be done outside because we still have dehumidifiers and blowers in the pavilion drying it out.

"The prognosis for being ready for the start of the season in two weeks is not good.

"We have to refurbish the kitchen and much of the inside has had to be gutted.

"We may have to rely on away games for the first couple of weeks and it is too early to say what will happen on our first league weekend in May."

At North Maidenhead Cricket Club, at North Town Moor, about 30 people turned up to help - including members of the new ladies' team and the youthful Colts.

Chairman Tony Drake said the club should be ready for the start of season.

There was pruning and strimming to be done on Saturday, nets to be put up and the clubhouse to be painted.

Youngest volunteer was 10-year-old Aden Choudhary, and the oldest veteran club member Ray Dawson at 70.

Tony said: "The whole pitch was flooded right across although we were lucky it did not reach the clubhouse. It has definitely  put us behind."