Woodhall cricketers clocking up the runs

Last year’s Lincs ECB Premier Division champions may not have been able to strike a ball in anger yet this year due to the coronavirus lockdown, but club members have taken it upon themselves to keep active.

Making the lost of their daily exercise allowance, the Spa men, family members and friends, decided to add up the miles they could muster between them to see how far they could get on foot, wheels and cross trainers.

And their 360-mile total clocked up on ‘Get Moving Saturday’ would have been enough to reach north of Edinburgh or south of Lille, in France.

“The club run was the idea of club captain Jack Hughes,” said Woodhall Spa CC secretary and head groundsman John Luffman.

“It involved everybody to see how far they could get.

“A total of 50 took part, enough to put four teams out on a Saturday.”

The challenge proved a real hit with club members, who are planning another one this weekend.

And there may also be another event with a twist.

“They’re aiming to do it again and there’s talk about getting in contact with another club and seeing if they would like to have a race,” Mr Luffman added.

“It’s good to see the players keeping active and keeping competitive.”

There may be question marks over whether any cricket will be played this year as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to force people to social distance.

However, work continues behind the scenes at Jubilee Park.

As well as maintaining the playing surface, fundraising continues.

The club recently held a virtual race night, while the 200 Club draw will be streamed live on Twitter.

“We’ve got people still doing work on the ground,” Mr Luffman added.

“The virus might be stopping people, but it’s not stopping nature and nature’s growing like mad.

“Whether we get cricket at all this year is doubtful, but we’re very fortunate because we fundraise all year round. We don’t stop in winter.”

The club has also waived membership fees for 2020, and that will remain the case if any play can be managed.