ONE OF the quirkiest events the game of cricket has ever known — the annual Brambles challange match — was played out in the middle of The Solent by yacht clubs either side of it.

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Teams representing the Island Sailing Club and the Hamble-based Royal Southern Yacht Club played out their traditional challenge match at 6am yesterday (Saturday).   

The game is played on the Bramble Bank, also known as the Brambles, which is situated half-way between the Isle of Wight and the entrance to Southampton Water — revealed only for short periods at low-water spring tides.

It is also only played when weather conditions allow, so with a break in the recent bad weather, it was game on!

The Island Sailing Club took the spoils this year.

Last year, the game was cancelled owing to the death of the Queen.

On social media, the Island Sailing Club's team captain, barrister Tim Devlin, who is also the Cowes-based club's commodore, said: "The Brambles cricket match is a wonderful tradition both clubs look forward to and thoroughly enjoy taking part in."

The game is believed to have been started by famous Island boat designer, Uffa Fox.

And in 2018, England cricket legend, Stuart Broad, made a guest appearance — barefoot and in his whites.

Cowes and Calshot RNLI stations provided lifeboat cover in case players and spectators got into tidal difficulties, with both launching at 5.30am.