Youngsters were bowled over on Sunday when Yorkshire ace Ryan Sidebottom opened a Mirfield cricket club’s new training facilities.
Huddersfield-born former England bowler Ryan, 37, helped Lucy Moorhouse and William Harrison cut the ribbon to officially launch the new nets at Hopton Mills Cricket Club in Lower Hopton.
The club celebrated a grant of £46,000 from Biffa Award which was used to upgrade the club’s training facilities.
There are also new changing rooms and a professional bowling machine and the club hopes that the impressive new facilities will help boost the club’s profile and encourage new players at both junior and senior level.
Club spokesman Andrew Moorhouse said the club had previously punched above its weight but could now compete with bigger clubs and become a “beacon of excellence.”
Hopton Mills is currently looking for under-9s, under-11s and under-13s to join the junior teams. Contact Richard Myers on 07969 342933.
