A cricket match on Sunday (July 14) will be very much a family affair when the Gilkes family take on village team Appleton.

Club secretary and wicket keeper Roger Gilkes decided to ask uncles and cousins -- all with the surname Gilkes -- to join the Appleton family in a match against the village team. Kith and kin will be travelling from all parts of the country.

Club chairman Graham Rose said: "When Roger asked at the annual meeting if such a fixture would be acceptable we were delighted. He and his family have been very supportive of the club over the years and the match will be well fought."

It seems that no quarter will be asked or given as the Gilkes family limber up. Mr Gilkes said: "This is a match I want to win. Selection of the Gilkes XI has been fun and we have family coming from Somerset, Suffolk, London and Oxford.

"I'm sure it will be played in the usual Appleton competitive spirit and the game will no doubt conclude off the pitch with some tales to tell in the Thatched Tavern, our local pub."

The Appleton club was re-formed in 1966. It has 25 members and plays Sunday friendlies against Oxfordshire teams. At the start of the season, the club was in a serious financial position, but received help with two grants.

The Lottery Awards for All scheme donated £500 to help fund new nets and matting. A further £500 was received from the Vale of White Horse District Council to help towards the cost of a reconditioned mower.