THE Boxing Day deluge may have heaped misery on so many in the region but even though rain stopped play at Tottington St John's in their annual game against local rivals Brooksbottom, both sides were determined not to let it dampen their spirits.

Storm Eva put paid to their traditional Boxing Day clash for only the second time in 53 years, but St John's spokesman Kieran Coe said more than 100 people still turned up to sample the occasion.

"I have got to say a big thank you to everyone from both clubs who came down on the day," he said.

"The guys at Brooksbottom could easily have just looked out of the window and decided not to bother, so it was a fantastic effort from everybody concerned.

"It was obvious early on that we would not be able to play as the ground was more like a boating lake than a cricket pitch.

"We like to play in all weathers, but unfortunately the ball can't bounce on water so we called off the game at about 11am."

Coe said every effort would be made to reschedule the match, but said at this point the ground was still unplayable.

He added: "Only once, apart from this year, has the game been called off.

"In 1968 it was called off due to fog – but then replayed the following week, on New Year's Day .

"We will do all we can to get the game rearranged this year, but with so much rainfall the field is waterlogged.

"But we would like to take the opportunity to thank Brooksbottom and all their supporters for turning up – despite the weather – and look forward to meeting them all again soon."