Bramble Bank Cricket Match
by Ben Duke 3 Sep 2008 08:32 BST
31 August 2008
A higher sea level than usual for the annual Brambles Bank Cricket Match © Mike Jones /
www.pikepictures.co.uk
The annual Brambles Bank Cricket Match between the Royal Southern Yacht Club and The Island Sailing Club, took place on Sunday 31st August. Unfortunately the tide didn’t drop as much as normal, leaving the game to be played in 6 inches of the Solent and preventing the ‘Pimms’ bar and spectators from setting up on dry sand. The pitch was regularly washed with two foot waves as countless cruise ships sailed past nearly washing the stumps away.
The teams were however, guided and greeted to the pitch by the Brambles ‘Mermaid’ who it is believed only appears in her bikini once a year to watch the men play.
This year it was the Island Sailing Club's turn to win, which was impressive as only three of the I.S.C. players made it to the crease against the ten Royal Southern Yacht Club players. The game was watched by over 40 spectator boats including the RNLI and Hamble Rescue and was followed by dinner, speeches and price giving hosted by the ISC.