HOWZAT? A cricket club in Rugby was bowled over when a housebuilder donated thousands to help it keep the ball rolling.

Persimmon Homes Central donated £5,000 to Dunchurch and Bilton Cricket Club through its Community Champions scheme to help the club replace its artificial cricket wicket.

The donation was presented to the club by Coun Jerry Roodhouse, the Deputy Leader of Rugby Borough Council, and Paul Coles, Operations Director at Persimmon Homes Central.

Coun Roodhouse said: “This is a fantastic contribution from Persimmon Homes to Dunchurch and Bilton Cricket Club and will help ensure the club can continue to provide opportunities for local people to enjoy cricket.

“The club plays an important role in bringing people together and supporting players of all ages, so it is great to see investment helping to maintain and improve its facilities for the wider community.”

Paul Jordan from Dunchurch and Bilton Cricket Club said all at the club were delighted to receive the donation.

He added: “The club is a friendly, sociable and inclusive cricket club that welcomes players of all ages and abilities, providing opportunities for the local community to get involved in the sport.

“The wicket is an important facility for the club and wider local community, supporting a range of teams, including our youth and women’s teams.

“This funding will help ensure that players of all ages and abilities can continue to enjoy cricket and make use of the club’s facilities for years to come.”

Paul Coles, Operations Director at Persimmon Homes Central, said: “We are delighted to support Dunchurch and Bilton Cricket Club through our Community Champions scheme.

“The club plays an important role in bringing the local community together, and we are pleased to help fund a new artificial wicket so players of all ages can continue enjoying high-quality facilities.”