The pretty picture of Ipplepen Cricket Club during a lush English summer

On turning into the car park at Ipplepen Cricket Club on Moor Road, you are struck by the impressive lush green sweep of the ground down towards the clubhouse.

The ground is usually immaculately kept and one of the prettiest grounds on the cricketing circuit. The club moved here in 1986, when the ground was opened by the legendary West Indies fast bowler Charlie Griffith.

The club is disproportionately successful for its size, often out-competing clubs from larger geographical areas. This has to be largely in part due to the fact that the club has a well renowned and long-standing youth section where there can be, at times, over a hundred children from multiple age groups practicing.

The view from the pavilion looks up to the square and is situated at the longest boundary. It’s a long, lonely walk back after getting a duck.

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The bar is well stocked and the impressive BBQ is usually the backdrop to most games. Photographs of past players and tours look down from the low walls. You can usually spot someone still competing in the middle, as players tend to stay at the club. Several of the first team are second generation players, which is laudable for any club.

The traditional white picket fences add to the English charm and benches at the top of the ground afford an excellent view of the action, where the advice of spectators is easily in earshot of the players.

The perimeter is surrounded by tall hedgerows and mature trees. There is sensitive planting at the top of the ground that incorporates a remembrance area.

Ipplepen CC has worked hard to provide many resources other clubs lack, such as covers, sightscreens and permanent nets. A more recent addition is that of the high netting on the leg side boundary.

Prior to that, any sixes hit ensured the fielder had to enter an adjacent field of nervous horses to restart the game.

The wicket has something in it for batters and bowlers and produces competitive games more often than not. Such a picturesque ground is in demand for touring clubs for good reason.