A WEST Wokingham village came together to witness the unveiling of a new sports facility, while also enjoying a spot of barbecue and ice cream in the sumptuous Sunday sun.
Shinfield Cricket Club, who will now call Manor Ground, Brookers Hill their home, took on a talented University of Reading team in a commemorative exhibition match and ultimately came out on top.
In conjunction with its current pitches at Millworth Lane, the facility will help the club accommodate its various men’s, women’s, junior teams and school teams, as well as provide a meeting place for the parish’s groups and clubs.
Emil Reisser-Weston, Shinfield Cricket Club’s captain, said: “The Manor Ground’s inauguration marked more than just a cricket match, it symbolised the unbreakable bond between the Shinfield community and their cherished sport.
“The state of the art facilities and meticulously maintained grounds will undoubtedly serve as a hub for nurturing local talent and fostering a love for cricket among the younger generation.”
He described the atmosphere on the day as ‘electric’, with some visitors taking a look around the new facilities, while others enjoyed the on-site bouncy castle.
Pawan Tyagi, Shinfield Cricket Club’s senior team captain and girls team coach, said: “Opening a new cricket ground will provide a much-needed space for women and girls to play cricket, which will help to grow the game at the grassroots level.
“This is in line with the ECB’s initiatives to encourage more girls and women to play cricket.”
The match itself was a close-run affair, with the University and Shinfield sides both producing some moments of quality, but it was ultimately the home side who came out on top.
Representatives from the University of Reading and Shinfield Parish Council were in attendance to take in the momentous occasion.
Cllr Andrew Grimes said: “The parish council is keen to develop sports opportunities for residents and particularly young adults.
“As a parish we do not suffer from anti-social behaviour any more than other parts of the country but we do believe that involvement in sport reduces the likelihood of being involved in anti-social behaviour.
“The development of these new sports facilities is part of an overall approach towards lowering anti-social behaviour which also includes co-operating with PCSOs and Wokingham Borough Council’s ASB team.”
