St Lawrence & Highland Court Cricket Club believe their new practice facilities are among the best in the southeast.

The club’s three-lane artificial surfaced caged nets were completed at the end of June and members have been making full use of them ahead of cricket’s return last weekend.

A huge fundraising effort, combined with several grants, helped to raise the £75,000 needed to complete the project.

Chairman Giles Hilton is delighted with the facilities now in place.

He said: “As a single-sport club I think it is absolutely brilliant to have attracted such a huge investment.

“It’s probably one of the best facilities in the southeast of England. It’s brand spanking new and it is phenomenal. With the return of cricket as well I think it is brilliant news.

“It gives us an ability to potentially do a lot of one to one coaching and it makes us very attractive as a club which has grown to three elevens this year, and will be looking to add a fourth XI next year, and a ladies 2nd XI too.”

Construction of the new facility was done by Notts Sport and their contractors S+C Slatter.

The club have under-11, 13 and 15 teams while pre Covid-19 they would expect over 100 children at their ground for Kwik Cricket sessions on Fridays.

The club’s 2nd XI will be playing at the ground for the first time since the return of cricket this weekend, with a match against Broadstairs 2nds. Their 1st XI are taking on Folkestone.

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