Each year the lads don their whites to partake in the unfamiliar pastime of leather (ball) against willow (bat), against the more familiar backdrop of liquid (beer) against sand (glass) enjoying the greensward and hospitality at S&B.

For the uninitiated the exact origins of cricket are unknown, but is believed to date back to the 16th century, the name deriving from the Anglo-Saxon word cricc, meaning a shepherd's staff. It is thought that the first players were English shepherds, who used their criccs as bats and the wicket gate of the sheep pens as a target for the bowlers or pitchers.

The game’s rules were formalised by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in 1797. The MCC became the supreme authority on the complex rules of the game and its base, Lords (named after a founder member of the club, Thomas Lord) in St. Johns Wood, London, remains the spiritual home of the game.

The first honorary secretary of Lancashire CC Samual Swire was also the first President of Southport Rugby club.

Anyway to fully appreciate the game simply sit back, relax a little and enjoy! In order to assist your enjoyment and appreciation of the game, the rules as formalised by the MCC can be simply condensed as follows:

You have two sides, one out in the field and one in.

Each man that's in goes out and when he's out, he comes in and the next man goes in until he's out.

When they are all out, the side that's out comes in and the side that's been in goes out and tries to get those coming in out.

When both sides have been in and out, including the not outs --- that's the end of the game.

Pints are not compulsory but may assist with your enjoyment. One or two will most certainly help when explaining the intricacies and finer points of the game!

So there! It all 'bowls' off at 3pm; weather forecast mixed but lets get down to support the lads and have a jolly time rain or shine.

A bucket collection will be held to support the charity set up by Ormskirk RUFC in memory of the late Russ Brennan.