KEEN cricketers in Ducklington will be able to put ball to bat more accurately thanks to a £1,000 donation.

Ducklington Sports Club received the money from the Witney Lions Club to pay for a special mat surface for the club’s nets for a new cricket mat.

The mat has markings on it that show where a ball should be bowled to help bowlers and batsmen improve their skills.

Chairman Steve Townsend said: “The donation from the Lions is unbelievable. We can’t thank them enough.

“You can see the difference after the lads have had two or three goes. You couldn’t coach that sort of thing – it’s brilliant.”

He added: “Hopefully it should improve not just the children’s but the seniors’ batting and bowling as well.”

The club is currently fundraising to replace its 26-year-old clubhouse with a new £650,000 building.

The club has 300 members playing in 20 football and cricket teams and needs extra changing rooms.

Since launching the fundraising campaign two years ago, the club has raised about £80,000 towards its target.