Abbotskerswell CC have been awarded the English Cricket Board's Club Mark Certificate,  which was presented by Devon Cricket development officer Andy Fairbairn to club chairman Joe Clowes and club cricket manager Chris Kelmere in a ceremony at Two Mile Oak.

Both Clowes and Kelmere have worked hard during the winter/spring months to complete all the requirements set by the ECB, with a big emphasis on colts' cricket.

The granting of this certificate enables parents to recognise that their sons/daughters at the club are coached and well looked after by club members, who have been vetted to a high standard set by the ECB.

'The club, through hard work and endeavour by a strong committee and club members, has moved forward in leaps and bounds in the last 12 months,' said a spokesman for Abbotskerswell Cricket Club.

'In that time we have seen the completion of the two permanent cricket nets, opened by Marcus Trescothick in August last year, the increased number of age brackets of colts cricket available to youngsters and now the achievement of being granted the Club Mark Certificate.

'In the last few weeks the club has seen its well worn artificial pitch replaced, thanks to a grant of £3,000 from the Lord Taverners and the generosity of the Devon councillors' fund and our village Abbfest committee.'

If you are interested in playing cricket at the continually improving club, check out the club website at www. abbotskerswell.play-cricket.com for details of practice nights for U11s, U13s, U15s, U17s and seniors.MORE SPORT IN OUR ONLINE EDITION