COKENACH S friendly against Barley marked the end of an era at the club. Ninety years after the original square was laid on the Cokenach Estate at Barkway plans are well advanced for the club to move to a much improved facility nearby. The new square was

COKENACH'S friendly against Barley marked the end of an era at the club.

Ninety years after the original square was laid on the Cokenach Estate at Barkway plans are well advanced for the club to move to a much improved facility nearby.

The new square was laid in the autumn of 2007 and is already well established having been surrounded by a crop of wheat 12 months ago. This summer and autumn has seen the outfield levelled, seeded and now desperately needing some rain to set it on its way to be ready for the 2010 season.

Club groundsman David Cattley, who has been playing on the old ground for over 40 years, said: "Yes its sad to be leaving the history behind but I'm excited about the prospect of playing and coaching our youngsters on the new facility which will be one of the best in the area".

In the last match, Clarke and Renuka took the new ball for Cokenach and Renuka soon bowled Nicholas for 11 with the score on 17. A freak run out off the bowler's hand saw the dangerous Beedell removed for 10 as Barley moved onto 46-2 in the 11th over. However, the introduction of the leg spinner Stevens saw Barley collapse to 142-9 off their 40 overs.

In reply, Cokenach cruised to the target of 143 in 31 overs for the loss of just two wickets with Botten and Clarke scoring superb unbeaten half centuries, with Cokenach taking the season's spoils 3 to 1 in the head to head matches in 2009.