Saddleworth determined to fight back after floods misery

ADAM Smalley surveys the sodden pitch. PICTURES by PAUL STERRITT.

WILL it ever stop raining is the question on the lips of Saddleworth Cricket Club officials as they continue to count the cost of the Boxing Day floods.

Six weeks later, the ground is still suffering the effects, with no let-up in the wet weather. Practice bays, spectator seating and the long netting that prevents balls going into the river all suffered major damage, as did the outfield and square.

Saddleworth has received a donation from the Red Rose Flood Appeal, set up by Lancashire County Cricket Club and the LCB, to help pay for repairs. The club is intent on being ready for the start of the new Pennine Cricket League season from April.

Adam Smalley, secretary of the senior cricket committee, said: “It would be lovely to get a spell of dry weather — that’s what we need. The damage is reversible and we’re not too downhearted, because we know what we have to do to put things right.

“We had a similar problem a few years ago when the ground flooded, but that was in the

summer. We were back up and running in a couple of weeks.

“We are all determined to get the ground back to how it should be, and we’re planning to put a club task force together.”