COALPIT Heath’s preparations for the start of the new cricket season have been boasted by the completion of new nets.

The fully enclosed two-lane facility was funded by a £36,000 grant from landfill site operators Enovert, while Westerleigh Parish Council contributed almost £4,000 and South Gloucestershire Council donated £3,000.

Heath first team captain Pete Lamb said: “We’re delighted at the final result. The new lanes are three times the size of our old nets, which we built ourselves years ago but had become very dated, and players across all our teams can’t wait to get in there and practise.

“It’s a facility that is going to stand us in great stead for many years to come.”

Heath, whose first team play in the Senior Division of the Bristol & District League, will also be fielding two other Saturday sides this summer while there are hopes of regular Sunday fixtures too.

The club will also once again be hosting All Stars cricket for youngsters as well as running under-9s, 11s, 13s and 15s while ladies softball cricket continues to go from strength to strength.

Lamb added: “Right across the club, we can’t wait for the season to start. It seems as if I spent most of last summer in meetings and not playing very much cricket, but hopefully it will be the other way round this year!

“There’s been a lot of interest right across the board with enquiries from new players and former members wanting to come back, and I’m sure the new nets will have an important role to play going forward.”