DOWN but not out a couple of seasons ago, Primrose Hill, Lydney, cricketers have made a startling recovery.
And the key to the comeback has proved to be the decision to withdraw from league cricket and play the old-fashioned way – friendlies.
"Since then we have not looked back. We now have more players than ever and some money in the bank," said vice-president and player Maurice Oliver.
Though they are still without changing facilities at Lydney's Bathurst Park ground, they are waiting patiently for the completion of the new pavilion and looking forward with confidence and optimism to the future.
"We have found players keener to turn out for friendlies. You do not need quite the same level of commitment and we now have a stronger player-base than for several seasons," said Maurice.
While frustrated by the lack of changing facilities the club is keen to praise the improvement in the square at Bathurst Park.
For years it has had the reputation as an 'evil' wicket with an uneven bounce...one around your ankles and the next around your ears.
"The groundsman has done a really good job here. The bounce is now very even and it does help to make for a much better game of cricket," said Maurice. With such a strong social atmosphere the club is looking forward to a four-day August tour to Kent.
"It will be strictly tea-total ... in bed by nine – in the morning that is," joked Maurice.
Having enjoyed an excellent season so far, Primrose Hill slipped up against a very young but impressive Lydney Second XI.
Batting first the Hill scored 135 with Darren Scrivens hitting 30 and Maurice Oliver, 22. Lydney's exciting bowling prospect Wilf Jones took five wickets and clean-bowled no less than half the Primrose Hill team.
In reply Lydney knocked off the required runs for the loss of six wickets with another youngster, James Sargent hitting an impressive 80 runs.