The gentle sound of leather on willow will echo round a West Norfolk village today for the first time in decades.

Boughton Cricket Club was a force to be reckoned with on the local scene in the 1950s as it knocked teams for six and won trophies.

But as the village team got older and people moved away, the club gradually died out in the 1960s.

The club rose from the ashes four years ago but had to borrow pitches from neighbouring villages for occasional friendly matches until the club was offered land to create a new pitch in the village.

Now the club is gearing up to play its first competitive home match on its new pitch – a Twenty20 clash against an Eastern Daily Press XI today from 4.30pm.

Club captain Benedict Wilkinson said: 'We have been working towards this moment for four years and we are so excited to have a properly-laid pitch and have good opposition to play against in our first formal game.

'Cricket has not been played on a proper pitch in the village for around 40 years and the fact we have been able to get up and running in this financial climate is so pleasing.

'Everyone in the village is coming out to show their support at the weekend and we hope there will be an excellent atmosphere for all those taking part.'

The club is also celebrating being awarded a �10,0000 grant from Sport England which will be used to buy a roller, outfield mower and a cover for the wicket.

Mr Wilkinson added: 'We are aiming to enter a team into a cricket league and raise enough money to build a pavilion within five years.'

Following the Twenty20 clash, there also will be a Kwik cricket game for under-12s. Any youngsters wishing to take part should arrive at the field off Wretton Road by 6pm.