AN OLD village tradition in Read has been resurrected after more than 10 years absence - and it was a woman who stole the show in the traditionally male challenge.

As an excuse for a village get together on Sunday, Ian Gee, landlord of the Stork Hotel, revived the Village Challenge between Read Cricket team and Stork FC.

In the competition the cricketers take on the footballers and vice versa at each other's game at Read Cricket Club in a battle for supremity at Read Cricket Club, Whalley Road.

In the first match Stork FC player Neil Snape was replaced by his wife Gaynor who was adamant she could do better than him and helped the team to a 8-2 victory by scoring the final penalty.

The footballers were less successful. though, in the cricket match after lunch at the Stork Hotel, Whalley Road, when they scored 178 all out against the cricketers' 203 all out.

Ian Gee said: "It was a really successful day with a good turn out of spectators so we are thinking of making it an annual event again and maybe doing it as a fundraiser next year."