CRICKET returns to Ingleton this month after an absence of a decade.
Bishop Auckland-based King James CC are to play their Darlington and District Cricket League (DDCL) homes games at the village ground.
The club previously played games at King James Academy, but in recent years has been forced to ground share, firstly with Etherley CC and then last season at Witton-le-Wear’s facilities.
A move to Ingleton was first mooted in 2017, however, with no work having been done on the wicket for years, it was not fit for immediate use.
Ingleton Parish Council, which manages the sports pitch and pavilion, along with the children’s play facilities in the field, has spent thousands of pounds to improve the ground as well as providing equipment, such as a tractor to pull the outfield grass cutters, while King James has raised funds to help with the move.
To mark the return of cricket to the village, a game between King James and an Ingleton XI will take place on Sunday, April 14, starting at 2pm.
King James play in the DDCL C division and their first league match at Ingleton will be on the opening day of the season, Saturday, April 20, when Middleton Tyas are the visitors. Last season, King James narrowly missed out on promotion, winning 12 of their 18 games and finishing third behind Oxbridge and Cliffe II.
Skipper Dennis Gorton said the club was delighted the club has a place to call home.
“To have a home ground is something we have not had for quite a long time.
“We have had a lot of support from the village and we are hoping for some interest from local players,” he said.
Kenny Gamack, who for many years opened the bowling for Ingleton, has agreed to help with the wicket
