REAL ale fans are invited to raise their glasses to toast the resurgence of Mobberley Cricket Club.

The club has seen a steady increase in its members over the past two seasons, in part since the introduction of Friday Night is Family Night.

Another factor in its growth in popularity is the annual beer festival, which is at the end of May.

Ric Kynnersley, who runs the junior section said: “Every Friday between April and the end of July we invite our junior members’ families to come along to watch the coaching sessions.

“We now have a thriving junior section, with a large number of junior players aged five to 15.

“The junior cricket coaching occurs each Friday evening from 5pm and is very much a community event.

“Our growth has meant we are now able to run three junior teams – under 9s, under 11s and under 13s, who play in the Cheshire County League.

“Another major factor in the club’s increasing popularity has been the annual beer festival.

“This year the club will be holding the festival on May 25, 26 and 27, with matches played on Friday evening and Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

“Live music will feature on the Friday and Saturday evenings, with hot food available all day. There will be a great selection of guest beers alongside the main bar, which will be open as usual. A free drink and commemorative glass will be given with every £5 entrance fee.”

The festival runs from 6pm on the Friday and 2pm on the Saturday and Sunday, with music from The Assets And The Muskets.

Ric added: “The recently-refurbished bar area allows the club to offer a great selection of drinks, including locally-sourced artisan products, and we also offer freshly-cooked food for children and adults.”

Ric said the club had also forged links with clubs in Australia.

He added: “In the past few years we’ve had six Australians coming over here - Lachlan Jones, Mark Lehman, Ben Grinter, Charlie Nield, Nick Butters - and this year Hank Schlaghecke, with five Mobberley players, Phil Burrell, Will Berisford-Ince, Mark Goodstadte, Will Edwards - and this season Matthew Mountney - going back the other way.”