A CRICKET club which faced bankruptcy and a lack of players has turned things around and come back fighting this season.

Whitchurch Cricket Club, which has been running for 241 years, is now going from strength to strength with a new wave of young players saving the day.

Nearly 60 youngsters between five and 16-years-old turned out for the club’s junior cricket taster day in June, one of two organised to drum up a new intake of players.

Martyn Dancer, captain of Whitchurch Cricket Club, said: “We were so encouraged by the huge turnout for our first junior taster day.

“To see Parsonage Meadow full of the next generation of Whitchurch Cricket Club players alongside their parents and our existing senior team was a wonderful sight.

“Just a few months ago, we doubted the club would survive another season and here we are with Whitchurch’s future cricketing stars.”

After putting a call out for new players, 17 female cricketers have also joined up for practice sessions, sponsorship from Whitchurch-based company BM Injection was secured and a community effort saw the pitch cleared and ready for the season. A further junior taster day was held on Sunday.