SADDLEWORTH CRICKET Club did not complain after becoming another victim of the recent floods caused by tropical storm Frank.
While the rain, which was almost of Biblical amounts, caused untold misery in the area,that was not the case at Well-i-Hole.
The ground, which is on the River Tame flood plain, was submerged under between six inches and two feet of water while the bowling green and tennis courts were up to three feet.
Happily the water quickly drained and club treasurer Michael Ward was able to report no damage – in fact there is likely to be a benefit.
He explained: “We have been lucky as other sporting grounds have been left with a thick covering of silt.
“The water here left only a thin layer and it will save us buying fertiliser and the silt will feed the grass.”
Mr Ward added that when groundstaff dig at the club they discover layers of alluvial deposits of river sand which are the result of previous floods.
When the Saddleworth clubhouse and changing rooms were rebuilt, they were raised as club officials were mindful of the risk of flooding.
And that foresight proved wise as both buildings escaped the flooding.
Saddleworth first-team captain Brian Lord, who led the team to five pieces of silverware last summer, is spending the winter in sunnier climes.
He is playing club cricket in Hobart, Tasmania, and Saddleworth officials recently learned that he bowled in the nets against the touring West Indies Test team.
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