HALESOWEN Cricket Club have been handed a double boost ahead of the new season.

The ambitious Seth Somers Park outfit have landed two new sponsorship deals which they say are vital to the running of the club in the 2015 campaign.

Locally based retailer The Big Pet Store and West Bromwich solicitors Clark Brookes Turner Cary have pledged their backing and club chairman Richard Evans was in a jubilant mood when revealing the news.

He said: “It gives me great pleasure to welcome Mike Burke and The Big Pet Store as sponsors to the club.

“Mike is obviously well known in the area through his association with Halesowen Town FC and we are indebted to him for his substantial support which we hope we can repay with some overdue success on the pitch.”

Carl Bust, who leads the HCC Youth Section was equally thrilled with the news.

He said: “CBTC have come on board to sponsor the flourishing youth section and I would to thank the Head of their Criminal Law Department, Omar Sadique.

“It's wonderful to see local business wanting to associate itself with the sport at grass roots level.”

The Big Pet Store owner Mike Burke is excited about the new tie up.

“I'm a born and bred Halesowen lad and we’re very happy to be getting involved with the cricket club,” he said.

“Obviously we are looking to increase our brand awareness but they are progressive and forward thinking club and it's a pleasure to be in a position to help.

“I hope that we will enjoy the same level of success that we have seen with the football club in recent years which can only improve the profile of the club and the town.”

Meanwhile the first pre-season matches took place over the weekend and a Halesowen second XI made short work of an Astwood Bank side in a hastily arranged fixture.

Sunday saw a team led by first XI skipper Faisal Shahid take on Chester based tourists Barrow CC.

Set 205 to win in 40 overs by the tourists an undefeated half century from Wes Griffiths took them within sight of victory before the match was abandoned after a heavy shower with Halesowen just 30 short with six overs remaining.

This Saturday sees the second XI host Smethwick CC in the last warm up match whilst the firsts travel away.

Skipper Shahid knows they face a tough match and said: “Smethwick are a division above us in the Birmingham League and are a strong outfit.

“We won’t quite be at full strength but the match will be a good indication of where we’re at.”

Meanwhile, former World Darts semi-finalist Wayne Mardle will be appearing live in the clubhouse for their first ever exhibition evening on Wednesday, April 29. Tickets are still available from the club or any club official priced £10 and the event has sparked plenty of interest.