Sometimes in life you have a decent day out. Usually it involves your mates, and usually it involves a drink or two. We all love playing cricket. We all love the sunshine.

So days like Sunday need to be marked down as absolutely superb.

Cricket was the insignificant aspect of the day however, as everyone down at the club were rallying around the beautiful Rachel Connett, who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Rachel’s husband, Ben, did a fine job in organising a exhibition cricket game, putting together an XI with a mixture of family, friends & Andrew Jackson’s fourth team. Jackson mirrored this approach, with the hope of competitive game of cricket.

Someone once said that “football is not a matter of life and death, it’s more important than that”. That, of course, is a load of old nonsense, but sport can bring people together for the greater good, and the smile on Rachel’s face as the hordes flocked to the club to support the Christie shined like the July sun.

As the DJ pumped out the tunes, the BBQ was stoked up and the raffle began with a host of fabulous prizes available, accumulated by Rachel’s friends and the Knutsford community. The cricket match began, with both teams donning pink caps to show their support. Connett’s XI batted first and made an admirable 140 off their 30 overs with young Noah Wasilewski the pick of the batsmen, retiring on 30.

During the break, more fund raising went on with a “hit the stumps challenge out in the middle” but it was time to score runs, not get skittled for Jackson’s side. The captain led by example, getting to the 30 retiring point, along with Noah’s brother, Isaac. The game looked like it might be quite close at one point as the batting side’s progress was stunted by the effervescent Simon Donald, who helped himself to 4 wickets. The game went down the last over. And then the last ball. Jackson faced it returning after his retirement. With 4 required for victory he could only scramble 2 and Connett’s side prevailed by a single run.

Both teams retired to the bar area, and a superb live singer came on to entertain the thirsty crowd. The raffle was conducted and prizes dished out.

The competitive nature of the game is testament to a fantastic group of friends, who together with their partners, all chipped in to assist to make the day one to live long in the memory. The amount raised on the day was in excess of £3k, coupled with a JustGiving page, over £7k will be winging its way to the Christie. That is a fantastic effort for all involved and their receipt reel on the till was ticking all afternoon, much to the delight of club Chairman Nigel Muirhead, who Ben would like to thank for hosting the event.

We all wish Rachel well as she continues her treatment, and rest assured she has the support of a wonderful group of people around her. Cricket is a fantastic way of bringing people together, and for that, we are truly thankful to all involved.