Cricketers are being offered the chance to play as two merged clubs prepare for the coming season.
Hurst Cricket Club and Wokingham area’s Rangers Cricket Club voted ‘resoundingly’ for the merger with a joint season in 2024. After that members will vote on making it a permanent arrangement.
Treasurer Steve Hills said: “We will have three Saturday teams and two Sunday teams so cricket in Hurst every Saturday and Sunday depending on the weather. There will be two mid-week teams. Seniors’ practices will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8pm.
“The juniors will have under nine, under 11 and under 13 teams and two under 15 teams. We will be building on last year’s success with the junior training and social every Friday from April 12.
“We’d love to see more players, anyone can come along, the more the merrier. You can email us at Hurstccofficial@gmail.com or just turn up.”
The merged side, known at present as Hurst Cricket Club, was busy last Saturday cleaning the practice nets, removing rubbish and painting the clubhouse in the centre of Hurst.
The club said it was blown away by the team effort.
One of the big hopes among Saturday’s volunteers was for a lot less rain before the first match at Hurst on May 11.
Steve said: “The ground is so wet the groundsman can’t cut the grass properly.”
The juniors’ evening from 5.30pm on Fridays is a high spot with families and locals watching the cricket and enjoying a barbecue and drinks from the bar. Last year 100 people went regularly.
The club’s hashtag is #HeartOfHurst.
The clubs say the merger is a win-win. It will secure the future of cricket at Hurst and it means Rangers members will have their own ground instead of hiring them.
The clubhouse is available for hiring. Happy hirers are the Hurst Hookers crochet and knitting group which creates seasonal woolly displays in the village.
Last weekend they sold cakes at the clubhouse for Red Nose Day. Also on sale were over 50 crochet red noses made by group member Heather Howarth. A total of £517 was raised for Comic Relief.
