A CRICKET pitch which cost its community just £1 in a bargain land sale has been given its baptism by a village team - with a thrilling victory.

Bishop Monkton Cricket Club, near Ripon, had been waiting years to move from its former pocket handkerchief ground off Boroughbridge Road. It was one of the smallest grounds in the region.

But the club's initial debut day match was cancelled when rain washed out an eagerly-awaited Nidderdale League fixture against Staveley.

The new ground became available as part of an emerging eight-acre sporting and community complex off Knaresborough Road.

The land was snapped up for £1 from a local farmer so a new village hall along with facilities for bowls, football and cricket could be created.

Club secretary Francis Brown said: "It was great to start with a victory and everyone agreed what a nice ground we have now. I think it will be widely popular and a lot of people turned up for the first match."

Villagers are hopeful of a national lottery grant to kick-start the rest of the project.

The new cricket ground is in sharp contrast to the old one, where sixes were commonplace. But in the opening match against Raskelf, Mr Francis said no one had recorded a six hit.

Bishop Monkton's landmark victory by just two runs came thanks to top scorer Charles Hutchinson, who carved out 44 runs while bowler Ian Pawson took three wickets for 45 runs and James Hutchinson, brother of Charles, weighed in with a handy return of three for 25.

The win followed successive defeats this season at West Tanfield and Burnt Yates.

"So it was good to get our first win of the season - and launch the new ground," said Mr Francis.