LONG Compton Sports Club staged their first home cricket match in seven years as the village’s president’s XI took on their first XI.

They have spent three years raising funds to refurbish the recreation ground’s surface with the help of a £25,000 SITA Trust grant after Long Compton’s last cricket club disbanded in 2007.

Club president David Smart bowled the opening over to first XI captain Rob Pitcher in the 30-over-a-side game, which will become an annual fixture. The Andy Carty Memorial Trophy was eventually lifted by Pitcher.

The cup was dedicated to the club stalwart, who died in 2012 from motor neurone disease, and £217 was raised to help fight the condition.

Sports club members had also worked to refurbish the clubhouse and secured a Sport England grant to help buy grass mowing equipment.