THE wettest Autumn for 300 years has failed to put a dampener on the 38th Annual Boxing Day cricket match between old friends and rivals Brooksbottoms CC and Bolton Road.

This year's encounter for the Brian Statham Cup will be held on the ground of the former at Rowlands Road, Summerseat with wickets pitched at 11am - whatever the weather!

In the past fog, frost, snow, drizzle and storms have conspired to prevent the hardy cricketers from competing but the players have always been determined to don their whites and get on with it, much to the enjoyment of the many spectators who attend the game.

The encounter is the final cricket match in the north west in the millenium year and the host club are celebrating the event in traditional manner with hot drinks, warm mince pies and well as other seasonal fare, all to the background of carols to enhance the spirit of Christmas.

As always the match will be 20 overs per side with no bowler allowed to bowl more than two overs, a rule that has the effect of making sure the runs flow and prevents rigor-mortis setting in as far as the fielding side are concerned.

Before the game a minute's silence will be observed as a mark of respect to Lancashire and England star Brian Statham who died earlier in the year and Bolton Road stalwart Peter Hunter who passed away a few weeks ago.

The man-of-the match award will be presented by John Law who took part in the first 30 matches of the series while the brave umpires are Gordon Wright and John Murray.

Brooksbottoms have yet to announce their side but Bolton Road will be represented by: A. Fletcher (capt), D. Hawksworth, G. Hoyle, Z. Dadabhoy, S. Shah, S. Duxbury, R. Ainsworth, M. Ikram, M. Lister, L. Dudley, K. Hothersall, J. Pemberton and I. Dodd.