VILLAGE cricket club Glazebury have opened the door to success. They believe the key lies in sponsorship.

And they have just signed a new deal with Atherton-based Sibcas in a bid to win a first league title.

Glazebury enjoyed its best-ever season in 1995, lifting the Cheshire Association Second Division title and reaching the final of the league's Pennant Trophy Knockout.

The 2nd X1 were runners-up in Division Three.

And 1995 was the first time Glazebury had been sponsored - the club backed by Sibcas for the first time.

Skipper Paul Warhurst said: "For starters it enabled both teams to play with a new ball every week!

"That is something of a luxury for a small club like ours.

"Anyone who knows anything about cricket knows the value of a new ball to bowlers. Many of the clubs we play are much bigger than us and could afford it.

"Now, thanks to sponsorship, we can enjoy the same advantage."

He added: "It is unusual for a village team to be sponsored and it certainly helped us in the most successful season in the club's history.

"Now we are in the First Division and our aim is the league championship."

Sibcas spokesman Stuart Whitehead said: "We are delighted to have helped a success story and hope, with our continued support, the club will go from strength to strength."

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