The recent heavy rain has hit all sports clubs over the past couple of weeks or so but it’s fair to say that Tewkesbury Cricket Club have been hit harder than most.

Their Swilgate ground was under three feet of water at one stage earlier this week and although the water is now receding – and the sun was shining this morning! – there is a lot of hard work ahead before any cricket can be played there.

“The last three or four days have been a bit of a nightmare,” admitted 2nd XI captain Brendan Low.

And with more heavy showers forecast early next week there is unlikely to be an early resolution to the problems.

“The 2nd XI are playing their home game against Birdlip at Gloucester Park on Saturday,” said Low. “And the following week Gotherington Cricket Club have very kindly said we can use their ground.”

Gotherington will play host to Tewkesbury’s 3rd XI – they play Arcadians Nine Elms – with the 1st XI fixture against Bourton Vale at Swilgate being switched to Twyning, the ground where the 3rds usually play.

“A lot of hard work has gone on behind the scenes to make sure we can play some cricket and we’re very grateful to everybody who has helped us out,” added Low.

And it’s not just the club’s senior section that officials have had to worry about because Tewkesbury also have a thriving junior section.

“We’ve moved the All Stars to Tewkesbury School on Saturday mornings for the time being,” continued Low, who heads up the junior section, “but the juniors haven’t been able to train on Friday nights.

“It’s not just the cricket, it’s the revenue that the club are losing out on as well with bar takings.”

Neither the club’s 2nd or 3rd XI – they play in County League Division Four and Cheltenham/Gloucester/Forest of Dean League Division One East respectively – have played a league game since Saturday 1st June while the 1st XI, who play in the Gloucestershire Division of the West of England League, have not played for a couple of weeks. The 1sts travel to Hatherley and Reddings on Saturday.