By Jamie Arrowsmith

RUGBY Cricket Club will be quite literally blowing away the cobwebs at the weekend when the Natwest Cricketforce initiative comes to Webb Ellis Road in preparation for the new season.

NatWest CricketForce is an England and Wales Cricket Board volunteering initiative aimed at rejuvenating cricket facilities throughout the country and encourages cricket supporters, their friends and families to contribute to their local cricket club by volunteering to undertake renovation work in club houses and on cricket grounds.

Rugby CC have been chosen as a Warwickshire showcase for the scheme, and the volunteers will be joined by a number of Warwickshire CC first teamers, who will help out and offer some pre-season coaching tips.

Rugby’s 168-year-old cricket club enjoyed their 2012 season as one of the club’s best years ever, with outstanding playing success as well as a number of awards, beginning with a large capital grant from the National Lottery, and ending with the award of ‘Club of the Year’ at the Rugby Sports awards in February. The club’s three adult sides were all league champions, and the junior sides also celebrated league success.

The CricketForce day will begin at 10am on Saturday and everyone is welcome to come along and contribute a few hours to spruce up the club’s 112-year-old pavilion, or lend a hand to ground preparation for the 2013 season.

If you are interested in attending on the day or for more information about the town’s historic club, ring Matt Hinks on 07814 177 589.