PLAYERS at one of the oldest community cricket clubs in the region are getting a clearer view of the game after securing a four-figure grant as part of a wind farm benefits scheme.

Haughton Cricket Club, near Great Burdon, Darlington, has been undertaking a long-term ground improvement project, aimed at upgrading facilities for the team and visitors.

The club, which was founded in 1876, recently won funding for vital new pitch covers, leaving team bosses free to turn their attention to sourcing sightscreens which help batsmen see the ball more easily as it’s delivered by the bowler.

After approaching Banks Group for support, a £2,728 grant was handed to the Haughton squad from the company’s community benefits fund attached to the Moor House six-turbine wind farm, which sits adjacent to the Haughton ground.

Brian Dobinson, vice president at Haughton Cricket Club, said: “There are always a lot of expenses to meet at any amateur sports club, and we spend a great deal of time raising the money to meet our running costs so that we can keep match fees affordable for all our players.

“We have the open fields which contain the wind farm behind the bowler’s arm at one end of the ground and a red brick building at the opposite end, and it’s not always easy for our batsmen to pick up the ball coming towards them from these backgrounds.

“The sightscreens look fantastic, and having them in place will enable us to practice and play in a safer environment, as well as hopefully helping our teams push on towards finishing the season as well as we can.

“It probably would have taken us years to raise the money for the sightscreens without the Banks Group’s help and we’re very grateful for their assistance.”

The club operates with around 30 playing members, aged between 13 and 50-years-old, with many being attracted from the surrounding area.

The club was eligible for a share of the Moor House Wind Farm Community Fund, which is ring-fenced for activities and projects in Sadberge, Bishopton, East and West Newbiggin, Little Stainton, Great Stainton, Great Burdon, Barmpton, Brafferton and areas of Whinfield, Harrowgate Hill, Beaumont Hill and Coatham Mundeville.