Threlkeld, the Lake District village club devastated by floods following a huge storm in the summer of 2012, has taken its fundraising to new levels by playing the world's first underground cricket match.
Fellow Cumbrian side Caldbeck chased down 27 to beat Threlkeld at Honister Slate Mine, but the six-overs-a-side game raised valuable funds towards a new pitch for the latter.
Threlkeld started their fundraising by creating a 2014 calendar of cricket being played in extreme conditions. Through this and support from the ECB via the England and Wales Cricket Trust over £40,000 was raised, allowing repairs to the pitch to be made.
However, more funds were needed so the underground game was devised and took place at the start of December.
Despite being defeated, Threlkeld's Michael Webster said: "It was really good fun. We're sorry we lost but if we had to lose, they're good lads and we're happy to lose to them. It was a great game played in the right spirit."
Copies of the 2014 Extreme Cricket Calendar are available at www.rainstoppedplay.org.
