Its seven o'clock in the morning on Saturday 14th of August and I am motoring down the Hamble River with four other friends, to head out into the middle of the Solent in the Boatshed Hamble Boston Whaler. What's strange about that you say ? well, we were heading for the Brambles bank, a sand bar that only shows its self on the lowest tides of the year and we were going to watch one of my favourite cricket matches.

This annual match is played between the Royal Southern Yacht Club and the Island Sailing Club. Teams and spectators make their way to this undulating strip of sand that shows its self, by a variety of vessels from canoes, windsurfers, jet ski's, ribs, yachts and all manner of vessels. The wickets are set up and play commences as soon as possible with batsmen and fielders alike often finding themselves falling into the deceptive pools between the stumps and in the outfield.

Well who won you say ? That's easy, this year it was the turn of the Island Sailing club to win as they were hosting the match and supplying the cooked breakfast back at their club house on the River Medina in Cowes.

It is one of the most surreal events that you can attend and I for one will be back every year I can to enjoy the spectacle.

Hope to see you there next year.

Peter Delbridge.