Newly-formed Oxford & Horspath CC have received a massive boost after securing a major sponsorship deal.

The new club, who were founded this year by the merger of Oxford and Horspath cricket clubs, are being backed by Cowley-based Smith & Osman Services, the industrial, commercial and domestic cleaning equipment suppliers, in a three-year deal worth £5,000.

Oxford and Horspath CC skipper Rupert Evans accepts a sponsorship cheque from Paul Smith, partner in Smith and Osman Services

Welcoming the sponsorship, skipper Rupert Evans said: "It is brilliant for us. It is a big boost for the club and we are very grateful to Smith & Osman."

Paul Smith, a partner in the firm, said: "We have previously sponsored the youth teams at Horspath and now we are happy to sponsor the newly- amalgamated club. We hope it will help the development of the new club."

And Smith & Osman's sponsorship certainly seems to be brushing off on the first team, who made made a clean sweep of their first two games in Home Counties League Division 2 West with wins over Burnham and Wokingham.

**Picture: Steve Wheeler