GLAMORGAN bowler John Glover was delighted to open Newport Fugitives Cricket Club’s superb new practice area.

The cost of the two-bay synthetic facility with nets was partly met by a £17,032 grant from the England and Wales Cricket Trust (EWCT).

The club was identified by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Sport Wales as a club of strategic developmental importance in the Newport area. The club’s chairman of cricket Gareth Davies said: “It was fantastic news when we were awarded the grant as we urgently needed to provide some quality practice facilities. We are delighted with the new facility and the non-turf pitches are excellent and are ideal for the coaching and development of young cricketers. “We have seven qualified ECB coaches and the new facility has enabled us to introduce a much more structured coaching programme which will benefit all age groups.

“We are pleased that the ECB has recognised the work we do in support of the development of the game and we are extremely grateful.”