BARNOLDSWICK Cricket Club hopes of making their bid for honours next season on a Victory Park pitch where the ball comes onto the bat at the same pace as the quicker wickets in the Jennings Ribblesdale League have been dashed.

Despite National Lottery grant aid being supplied via the Awards for All scheme to renovate the traditionally stodgy Victory Park square, the initial remedial works have not had the desired results.

The problem stems from the fact that the seed applied in September has not germinated properly and it is now impossible to rectify the situation until March.

"We did half of the square successfully a couple of years ago and were hoping to finish the job in time for next season," says club secretary Phil Brown.

"All the various ground works were completed, but when the seed was sown, it did not germinate. At this stage we do not know whether we will be able to use the part of the wicket when the season starts, but we are trying to make arrangements to play our home games at other venues.

"The league have helped by arranging all our third team games away, but we are hoping to come to some agreement with Colne CC and Nelson CC, who play their Lancashire League games on Sunday."