JCT600 Bradford League club Morley have received a grant of £8,157 from the England and Wales Cricket Trust's grant aid programme towards the cost of a non-turf pitch.

The EWCT offered the support to increase and develop the number of Last Man Stands leagues, teams and players.

Morley was identified by the Yorkshire Cricket Board and the ECB as a club of strategic importance for LMS – a fast-moving game on a T20 basis which can be completed by two eight-a-side teams in two hours.

Morley Cricket and Sports Club secretary Simon Barraclough said: "The Yorkshire Cricket Board has an extensive development programme throughout the county and this new dimension of the game has rapidly grown in popularity, especially in the West Yorkshire area.

"We are really grateful to the EWCT for the grant because we could not afford this excellent synthetic matchplay pitch from our own resources and it has given our cricket development programme a real boost.

"We have three senior sides and also five junior teams from under-nines upwards. We have had growth in our junior section in recent times but we aim to increase the number of junior players at the club and this synthetic pitch will give us more matchplay and coaching opportunities for the development of young cricketers next season.

"Because it is an all-weather pitch, it means we have the advantage of being able to play when the turf pitches are too wet.

"Although the pitch was not installed until early August, it was a real bonus to stage about 20 LMS fixtures before the end of the season.

"Through the ECB franchise holder for this area, we hosted not only club LMS league matches but also staged the Leeds and District regional finals.

"By using the ground for more matches, it generates more income for the club and we believe the number of LMS matches will increase next season."

Paul Berry, the franchise holder for Last Man Stands in Leeds, Bradford and Calderdale, added: "At present we have over 30 league teams in this region and a new LMS Calderdale League will be launched next season.

"We want to encourage more people to play this fast-moving format of the game, which is growing in popularity, and leagues are being formed and supported by the ECB throughout the country.

"The matches are played with 20 five-ball overs and when the seventh wicket falls, the Last Man Stands alone.

"We are keen to encourage teams from local businesses, local clubs, parks teams and groups of friends on an eight-a-side basis and anyone interested in taking part should contact paul@lastmanstands.co.uk."