Stars of the small screen turned out for the annual Newsquest Celebrity Cricket Match in support of the National Advertising Benevolent Society.

The provincial media's finest took to the field to compete for the coveted Newsquest Challenge Trophy against a star studded Newsquest celebrity XI comprising of soap stars from Brookside, Casualty, Where the Heart Is and Coronation Street.

It proved to be a tight match with both sides battling to win the coveted trophy, this year in tremendous heat.

Highlights included Coronation Street's Andrew Wyment, who plays Kirk Sutherland, in a marvellous five wicket haul. Fellow Corrie star Chris Bisson (Vikram) produced a fine batting display while Casualty's Will Mellor was in blinding form in the field - mainly with a pint of lager!

The evening was declared a tremendous success with Where The Heart Is star Phil Middlemiss (pictured) eventually lifting the trophy for the celebrities after a narrow one run win.

On the media side, special mention should go to Mark Rix, Manchester Evening News; Toby Windsor of SMRS and Keith Singleton of Mediacom for their batting, bowling and fielding displays.

Rest assured the Newsquest Media XI are already in full training to win the trophy back next year after the challenge was laid down by Newsquest media sales MD Lisa Bourne.

NABS committee member Jill Thomas, media director of MediaVision, said: "NABS would like to thank Newsquest Media Sales for their generosity in setting up this event and of course their sponsorship."

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