THE hundred or so spectators who turned out for the annual Boxing Day cricket match between Brooksbottom and Tottington St Johns were treated to a grandstand finish.

Visiting side Totty went into the final over down to their last two batsmen and needing 10 runs for victory.

Simon Marsh faced the daunting task of having to hit a six off the final delivery to win the match. After launching a shot towards the shorter point boundary the ball was plucked out of the air by a Brox fielder, but momentum forced him to step over the rope in front of the celebrating Totty fans.

The one-wicket win ensured Tottington pegged back their hosts in the overall scores, which Brox now lead 7-4.

It was a far cry from the previous year's washout, when Storm Eva forced the match to be abandoned due to rain for the first time in its history.

Cricketers and spectators were instead bathed in sunshine at Brooksbottom's picturesque Summerseat home.

As ever, the match was played in a great, festive spirit throughout.

Brooksbottom captain Dave Brown won the toss and elected to bat, but the decision backfired as they were quickly two wickets down.

Opening bowler Eve Whaling – who, along with Tottington team-mate Daniella Collins, became the first woman to play in the annual fixture – took a brace in her two overs.

Wickets continued to fall, which stunted Brox progress and they finished on 87 from their 20 overs, Ian Collier top scoring with 29.

The Marsh brothers - Simon and Nick - were the pick of the Totty bowlers, along with captain Michael Watts.

History was again made as Brett and Daniella Collins became the first father and daughter to open the batting for Tottington.

But the side made heavy weather of their run chase, pegged back by some spirited fielding from Ryan MacDonald.

It fell to Clive Brooks and Simon Marsh to see them home, eking out the winning runs despite the best efforts of Brox skipper Brown, who bowled the final over.

Collier was the pick of the Brox bowlers, with three wickets in his two overs.

He missed out on the man-of-the-match prize, however, with host chairman Richard Ernill giving it to Totty's Nick Marsh, much to the amusement of everyone but his brother Simon, who hit the winning runs.