A VILLAGE cricket team is in line for a repeat performance in an international tournament thanks to its eye-catching website.

Kirkby Malzeard Cricket Club, near Ripon, was catapulted to fame by organisers of the Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes, in Thailand, who were so impressed by the ingenuity of the little club's offering on the Internet that they sent an invitation for them to take part last season.

However, what the club thought would be a one-off has resulted in a second invitation to compete, in April.

While the minnows did not win any silverware against bigger rivals from around the world, they performed with true Yorkshire grit.

The Kirkby club is famed for its tongue-in-cheek website, which boasts its own agony uncle answering cricketing problems.

It also mentions the side's legendary cricketing collapses, as well as its players' love of a pint or two of the local brew.

Now, just ahead of the start of its season in Division Two of the Nidderdale League, the club is preparing for another trip to Thailand.

Stalwart Ian Fraser, who captained the Kirkby side for eight years, said: "We certainly put the place on the map. We didn't win any silverware last year, in fact we won only one match, but it was a tremendous experience for a village side."

The club is aiming to find a sponsor for the trip, promising would-be backers that their name will be unfurled not just at the village ground, but at an international event. It will cost the players about £1,000 each for the trip.

Any offers of sponsorship can be made to Ian Fraser on 01765 658292