IT brings crowds flocking to The Butts at Alton for a day of family entertainment climaxed by a gentlemanly game of cricket.

And this year there was further cause to celebrate as it is 30 years since what is now known as the annual Victorian cricket match began as a Sunday afternoon game between two local pubs with the idea of raising money for Bushy Leaze School.

In the process of growing into one of the town’s summer highlights, the match has raised more than £70,000 for both the school and local charities, and this year the 10 teams were not only battling it out for the winners’ cup but to raise funds for Bushy Leaze Children and Families Centre.

In fine cricket weather, as the teams stepped out onto the pitch, families were sitting down with their picnics or browsing stalls while the children had fun on the Shire horse-and-cart rides and bouncy castle.

Also popular was the chance to throw “items” at Alton’s new mayor, Derek Gardner, who bravely served time in the stocks.

There was also plenty to eat and drink via the Prosecco and Gin Bar, while Mr Whitehouse’s strawberry cider also proved popular.

Several breweries donated to The Ian Burrows Beer Tent - named after a long-standing and dedicated member of the committee, and a spokesman said: “It was a fitting tribute to a man who enjoyed his beers and worked hard planning and preparing the tournament for many years.”

No matter how tempting the other attractions were everyone was in place at the start of the first cricket match and an afternoon of play that was to end in an exciting climax.

Looking resplendent in their Victorian attire, the teams brought cheers and applause from the crowd as they took to the pitch.

The competing teams were The Railway Arms, Warren Powell-Richards, The Eight Bells, Alton Masons, The Harvesters, The Castle of Comfort, Alton College, Bushy Leaze, The Bakers Arms and The French Horn.

After a tense final against The Eight Bells, the victorious Victorians were The Railway Arms.

Further awards went to The Castle of Comfort who won the Best Dressed Team Cup with The Eight Bells runners-up, the Barry Perkins Sporting Personality Award went to The Masons, and the Bob Evans Champagne Moment was won by Bushy Leaze.

The committee expressed their thanks for everyone who came to watch and was “extremely grateful to silver sponsors Kemp and Stevens and Alton Sports Centre and bronze sponsors Westwood Travel and Specsavers.

The committee also thanked businesses and individuals who contributed to the raffle prizes and Alton Masons for their £1,000 donation.

Dawn Murphy, chairman of the Bushy Leaze Community Support Fund, said: “We are delighted with the support from the Alton Victorian cricket tournament. It provided the perfect opportunity to rally the local community in support of our services and was a wonderful day for our families to get together in the sun, help raise funds, and even play some cricket.

“The first tournament was arranged to raise funds Bushy Leaze and we are delighted they chose to support us again, at a time when we need it most.

“We are now the only children’s centre in East Hampshire and our family support services are run entirely on charitable donations. The funds raised at the tournament will help ensure we can keep supporting Alton’s families,” she said.