The outdoor nets area at Willoughby has always been an integral part of the club's outdoor training and coaching facilities, used by senior and [particularly] junior players alike. Over the years the area has seen various refurbishments largely with the replacement of old netting and ball stop barriers to the sides and rear.

However the time has come for more than just some new nets.

Players and members will be aware of the extensive preliminary work which was undertaken during the second half of the season. This included the removal of conifers and a significant and troublesome network of roots between the nets and garage; which were the cause of one of the batting strips to crack from underneath and make the batting surface uneven and unplayable. This first stage of work - much of which was manual - was further impacted by the unusually hot summer and resulting hard, cracked ground.

Following on from the purchase of new portable matting for the nets - thanks in part to a kind grant award from Rugby Borough Council's Sports Development Fund - the next key stage of development was to get the new base concreted.

So, nice, not necessarily bright, but early on Saturday a team of members were on hand with jackets and wellies and rakes to take hold of delivery and laying of concrete into the new slightly-wider batting lanes in the outdoor nets area.

The results are clear to see - what a great job!

See the pictures here

No doubt you will join us in offering our thanks to the team who gave of their time and energy on Saturday morning to pitch in and get this next stage of the project in place.
Everyone will reap the benefits come late spring and summer next year.