Busy times at Knebworth Park

Knebworth Park have been busy upgrading their facilities ready for the new season. Under new chairman Mark Klimek, the clubhouse has been refurbished and the club is shortly due to have new covers and a new sightscreen for its second ground. Klimek has su

Knebworth Park have been busy upgrading their facilities ready for the new season.

Under new chairman Mark Klimek, the clubhouse has been refurbished and the club is shortly due to have new covers and a new sightscreen for its second ground.

Klimek has succeeded Chris Johnson who has stepped down after 16 years in the role.

There was a special presentation and 'thank you' evening from all sections of the club on Friday.

Johnson has been heavily involved in the club's progress over the past 30 years, starting from a one-team club to that running one of the strongest 'youth to seniors' outfits in Hertfordshire.

New players are welcome with club training at their Old Knebworth Lane ground on Tuesdays and Thursday under the direction of Aussie coach Jarrod Turner.

This weekend, the second, third, fourth and fifth teams begin their Saracens Herts League campaigns, while on Monday the club stages a Twenty20 competition, starting at 10.30am.

Fresh from their pre-season tour to La Manga in Spain, Park romped to a runaway win over Harpenden on Saturday.

On a damp wicket, Jarrod Turner and Adrian Holmes grafted hard in the bowler-friendly conditions to add 116 for the third wicket before Holmes fell for 26.

Turner applied himself brilliantly to the conditions to finish with 117 and support from Paul Slade (43) saw them reach 242-7 in their allotted 45 overs.

Sam McCrow (4-10) and Michael Fisher (4-13) demolished Harpenden for only 59.

The second team at Harpenden were also in fine fettle. Under-16 left-armer Charlie Randall was the pick of the bowlers with 4-45 and with Jack Thorn (3-40) and Aussie Adam Ekekiel (3-41), the home side were bowled out for 201.

Ekekiel, in his first innings in England, struck an unbeaten 111 and with Colin Letford (54) they won comfortably by seven wickets.

In Spain, the Park had a 20-strong party that warmed up for the new season in a five-day trip.

They took part in a cricket festival at La Manga where the highlight was an excellent win over Surrey Championship side Spencer.

Turner (76no) batted beautifully and Steve Gregory (41) struck some straight sixes, while Slade heaved some massive sixes in a quickfire 52 in a total of 190-4 in 20 overs. Their strong opponents were restricted to 162-6 for a convincing win.