Norden Cricket Club's NatWest Cricket Force

Norden Cricket Club's NatWest Cricket Force army of volunteers

2 More Image(s) In Gallery

Despite the rain which fell almost throughout, Norden Cricket Club's NatWest Cricket Force weekend proved a huge success.

Countless jobs were done on the ground by an army of volunteers - both young and old - who included new professional Daniel Salpietro.

Daniel was introduced on Saturday morning by Dexter Fitton, who is chairman of the club's cricket committee.

He then stood aside as a race was held between Norden's new mascot Stanley the Stag, Hercules the Hornet from Rochdale Hornets RL Club, and Lanky the Giraffe,the mascot of Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Conditions underfoot were not exactly ideal for the race, as Hercules found out, but Stanley managed to stay on his feet and cross the line in first place.

Lanky arrived at Stag Park with County pace bowler Gavin Griffiths, and both pitched in with the work under the watchful eyes of Lancashire Cricket Board's league cricket official Paul Bryson.

Inside the clubhouse on Saturday were Hornets' star Ryan Millard and Barry Woodburn who had a promotional stand. Will Purser was in charge of the Shocka Sports stand, and Norden CC had a display of the club's history.

Sunday saw Dale players Jamie Allen and Brian Barry-Murphy in attendance, and both were presented with free membership of the cricket club.

They were accompanied by Dale boardroom boys Paul Hazlehurst (a former NCC player) and Bill Goodwin, and Dave Gartside from the Dale Trust.

Rob Greenwood, who was in charge of the work gang, said: "Those who came to help put in a tremendous effort. It was sopping wet out there, but everyone carried on working and we got through a lot of the jobs which needed to be done."