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 waited years to move from its former ground off Boroughbridge Road, one of the smallest grounds in the region.

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 to create a new village hall, along with facilities for bowls, football and cricket.

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.

In the opening match against Raskelf, Bishop Monkton won by two runs, thanks to top scorer Charles Hutchinson, who hit 44, and his bowling brother, James Hutchinson, with figures of 3 for 25.