HEXHAM Leazes Cricket Club secretary Tony Crosby insists the future is bright both on and off the pitch after putting a special grant to good use.

The Leazes were awarded a grant of £1100 through the England & Wales Cricket Trust (EWCT) Small Grant Scheme.

Supported by Waitrose, the scheme aims to create a sustainable future for affiliated cricket clubs through improving their facilities.

And Hexham Leazes wasted no time in putting the money to good use, something that Crosby believes will have a direct impact on the pitch too.

"The club received a grant which was used to buy tables, chairs, a water boiler and a coffee machine which enables us to accommodate people and make them comfortable during games,” he said.

"They're things we didn't have before as we've just built a new pavilion thanks to a Sport England grant.

“It might not seem like it but these things really do make a difference on the pitch too because a happy club and healthy club shows when it comes to cricket.”

Waitrose, who also works with the ECB on their Club Open Day scheme, has supported this initiative by pledging £100 for every four or six scored across the entire 2014 home international summer, including England, England Women, England Lions and England Under-19s.

From the total boundaries scored, Gary Ballance was the England team’s biggest contributor during last summer and former captain turned ECB Cricket Partnership Ambassador Mike Gatting is delighted Hexham Leazes are putting the money to good use.

“We’re passionate about creating a sustainable future for cricket clubs and their communities across England and Wales,” Gatting said.

"Small grants to clubs like Hexham Leazes make a huge difference to their long term future."