Business is batty for Haxey seasoned cricketer

Mark Metcalfe, 35, has taken his passion for the age old game and turned it into his business.

Months of research, and years of playing, means Mark has the knowledge to supply the very best when it comes to cricket bats.

The father of one will be familiar to a lot of Isle residents, having attended St Martin’s Primary School in Owston Ferry and then South Axholme School before studying at John Leggott College in Scunthorpe before taking a media and management course at Leeds Trinity University.

Mark has played for Haxey Cricket Club for around 20 years, through all different age groups.

He is originally from Owston Ferry but now lives in Beech Avenue, Tickhill, near Doncaster.

He explained how the business came about.

Mark said: “I have been looking at starting a cricket shop supplying handmade bats and the accompanying softs for around a year following on from numerous trips to other cricket shops where the same thing is available over and over again, all the mainstream names.

“Over the past year I have spent lots of time researching cricket bat makers that still produce their bats the original, and best, way.

“All the bats I supply are made in the UK, by hand, using only the finest English willow.

“As well as stocking ‘off the shelf’ bats we also offer a bespoke bat service where the customer chooses the handle, weight that they want and can have something made up to their exact requirements.

“I have found that going the ‘boutique’ route provides a more personal touch and more often then not better value for money than with a regular bat.”

Mark supplies Aldred, Charlie French, Helygen, Jedi, Mangled, Reaper Cricket, Red Ink and the Robert James brand.

This list is expected to grow further in the next few months as he searches for new bat makers to continue his expansion.

Mark’s online shop can be found at www.thecricketboutique.co.uk and on Twitter thecricketbtq or Facebook www.facebook.com/thecricketboutique/

Anyone wishing to see the bats before they purchase one should get in touch with Mark via his social media accounts as above.

If you are a follower of local cricket, the Epworth Bells offers coverage of all the local teams who play in the Lincolnshire County League and the Snaith League.

Match reports, news stories and photographs each week are published each week, both in the newspaper and online at www.epworthbells. co.uk.

If your team does not currently feature and you would like some coverage, send your match reports and other team news items to Paul Goodwin at [email protected] or Liam Hoden at liam.hoden@jpress,.co.uk.

The deadline for submissions is Monday lunchtime, to be considered for potential inclusion in that week’s Epworth Bells.