The league side, led by team captain Carol Taylor, saw off Wirral on Sunday to book their place in the semi final and maintain their 100 per cent record in section one of the Hotter BCGLBA County Championship.

And Taylor has revealed their secret weapon to the Guardian.

She said: "We've basically laughed our way to this stage.

"We tried it for our first match and it worked, so we thought we should carry the custom on."

Taylor described how the players let out a laugh to fire themselves up.

She added: "Other teams clap or huddle together, we've found a different way."

And it served them well against Wirral.

The home leg was won 243-151, while the away tie was lost 226-194, giving an aggregate 437-377 win.

Mid Cheshire have never won more than one match in the competition before, so have made history already with this year's record-breaking form.

Taylor said: "It's unbelievable really.

"The team hasn't changed very much, but we seem to have gelled that bit more this time."

She pointed to the improvement in form of the home side, which has let Mid Cheshire down in the past.

"They've really come through for us this time," she said.

"The away players have always maintained a consistent level of form, so it's great the two have come together at last."

However her players face a tough task in the semi final against Wales.

The Welsh ladies also boast an unblemished record in section two, and Taylor is under no illusions about how hard a match it will be.

She said: "We face an uphill battle to make the final, but we've come this far so I guess anything can happen."

Mid Cheshire beat North Shropshire, North Warwickshire and Lancashire in their other group games.

They meet Wales in the semi final on Sunday, August 13.

Shropshire clash with Staffordshire in the other.

Turn to page 43 for the latest results in full.

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