TAUNTON St Andrews Cricket Club has invested more than £50,000 in an impressive three-lane artificial net complex which has been built in the south east corner of the Wyvern Sports Club, writes Richard Walsh.

The nets were gained through funds accrued by the club over a number of years, in addition to several generous donations from players past and present, and an interest-free loan.

Saints president Richard Brice said: “The nets will hopefully help us to attract the best players to the club and will help in our quest to regain promotion back to Premier 1 level in the West of England Premier League (WEPL).

“We are also keen to try and attract as many youngsters to play cricket for us.

“The new nets got the approval of all the sporting bodies involved here at the Wyvern and were also granted planning permission by the local council.

“Our idea is to provide something that will benefit Taunton St Andrews both now and for years to come, in addition to which this will be a facility that cricketers from across the town and beyond can come and hire for use.

“Taunton is a cricketing town and we feel that the provision of these nets is a lasting legacy.”

A lot of the work has been undertaken by former Somerset County Cricket Club favourite Dennis Breakwell, the groundsman at Taunton St Andrews.

“This is a pretty high quality installation here at Saints and compares to anything anywhere else in the town or the county,” said the man who tipped Jos Buttler to become an England cricketer from a young age.

One of the first groups to use the new nets will be the Saints Juniors, when they attend the sign-up evening session on April 6 (starting at 6pm).

Further details regarding Saints Junior sign-up are available from Richard Brice on 07870 583123 or junior organiser Chris Rew on 07771515977.

For information regarding hiring the new net facility, you can call Brice for senior use or Rew for juniors, both as above.