NEW Ash Green Cricket Club is ready for a new challenge next season after agreeing to join the Mid-Kent League.

The club has left the Central Cricket League to join one offering fixtures against what it believes will be higher quality opposition. Club captain Vaughan John said: "The club has been steadily increasing its playing strength over the last few years and the move should help us keep our good young players.

"The opposition we are likely to face this season will be of a consistently higher level than we have faced in the past and we need new players at all levels to build up the strength in depth of our league squad."

There is also good news for the club off the pitch. Money has been invested and the bars in the Sports Pavilion at New Ash Green have been refurbished.

Chairman Keith Bushell said: "The new work means the club now feels like a good quality club and the facilities can finally realise their potential."

To join call Vaughan John on Gravesend 874004 or Keith Bushell on 872831.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.