AN annual tradition on the crease at St Boswells will this year be played in remembrance of one of the village's great characters.

On New Year’s Day, from 12 noon, St Boswells Cricket Club will be opening up for their annual New Year’s Day Cricket Match.

But this year the match will have added significance.

Among the Villagers’ team for the last decade has been Spencer Pitman, who tragically passed away in November.

The popular father of two was only 48.

A spokesman for St Boswells Cricket Club said: "The 2016 match will be played in his memory, for the joy he brought to the match every year which the club is determined to carry on.

A charity collection will be made for The Lavender Touch, which helped Spencer and his family through some of the most difficult moments.

Everyone from the village and beyond is welcome to come along, including players from other Borders clubs, in what is bound to be a very memorable afternoon of cricket, clubhouse antics and general bonhomie."

Played for the ceremonial quaich, everyone who would like to play, whatever their standard is encouraged to join either the Villagers team or the Club team, and plays for as many overs as there are bowlers – that’s everyone in each team getting a bowl – trying to score as many runs in the least amount of time.

Whatever the weather, the game will be played: in the past it has been played in snow, mud, rain and beautiful sunshine, and now there is a brand new artificial wicket in place, there’s even more reason to make a decent game of it.

The Villagers are the current holders, thanks to some stunning batting last year by people who really should be playing for St Boswells Cricket Club, and some even more stunning fielding.

The game is expected to start at around 1.30pm, though going by previous years, it will depend how long it takes to prise the team members away from the bar.