PARTIALLY-SIGHTED sportsmen were put through their paces at a taster session to find new cricketers across the North.

A practice cricket match was organised in Darlington today to give partially-sighted people a chance to try the sport.

Action for Blind People and cricketers from Lancashire Galloways organised the game to boost the numbers playing the sport in the North.

The game uses the same rules as cricket but is played with larger stumps and a football containing lead bearings.

Teams are a mixture of totally-sighted and partially-sighted players.

Gary Oneil, who coached the players, said many visually-impaired cricket teams are based in the South, which means many teams struggle financially.

He hoped another league could be set up across the North.

He said: "If you don't know what you are doing, you can be found out very quickly. But we want to build them up and get their confidence and ability built up.

"It will be a slow process, but we hope to have our own 8-a-side league by 2009."

Lesley Inganni, a sports development officer from Action for Blind People, said: "There are lots of people out there. It is just about targetting them. This is also about getting them involved in sport for a social aspect."

John Hawkins, from Redcar, was one of those at the event. He used to play cricket at school but had to stop because of his tunnel vision.

He said: "It is much easier to pick up with a bigger ball. It is good to get involved in a team sport."

For more information about taking up the sport contact Mr Oneil on 07823-331722.