ONE thing that Isle of Wight cricket fans will not see when the popular annual 'Brambles' match takes place is rain stopped play!

For those of an older generation on the Island, the traditional Brambles match between members of the Island Sailing Club and their arch-rivals from across The Solent, the Royal Southern Yacht Club, based at Hamble-le-Rice, Southampton, draws not only interest from the Island and Hampshire, but around the world.

Isle of Wight County Press: The brambles cricket match is a tradition dating back to 1950.The brambles cricket match is a tradition dating back to 1950. (Image: Sienna Anderson)

In fact, back in 2018, a certain England legend who hung up his boots after the final Ashes test against Australia recently, Stuart Broad, made a guest appearance to tick off his cricketing 'bucket' list.

He smashed (probably) the biggest six the Brambles had ever seen, with one of the fielders having to swim quite some distance out on The Solent to retrieve the ball.

The match, held this year on Saturday, September 2, will be at the Brambles sandbank off Cowes — with the fun continuing until waves, rather than rain, stops play.

Isle of Wight County Press: The brambles cricket match is a tradition dating back to 1950.The brambles cricket match is a tradition dating back to 1950. (Image: Sienna Anderson)

The Brambles match can only be played once a year, when an uncommon tidal anomaly allows it to happen.  

The two teams have been competing for the bragging rights each year for 72 years, with a new trophy commissioned by the Island Sailing Club in 2018.  

The event has become a tradition since its brainchild, renowned Island sailor Uffa Fox, started it in 1950.

Always a great spectacle, the game starts bright and early — at 6am. 

Island Sailing Club commodore, Tim Devlin, said: “The Brambles match is a wonderful tradition both clubs look forward to and thoroughly enjoy taking part in.”