More than 1,000 spectators braved dreadful weather at the weekend to watch stars from Emmerdale, Yorkshire's top soap opera, play cricket at Ripley Castle, near Knaresborough.

The Emmerdale stars were playing against Sir Thomas Ingilby's President's XI in aid of the Candlelighters, the children's cancer charity. Organisers hope that the day will have raised more than £2,000. Chris Chittell (Eric Pollard), Paul Opacic (Steve Marchant), Tony Cairns (Edward Peel), Mark Charnock (Marlon Dingle) and Lisa Riley (Mandy Dingle) were among the Emmerdale celebrities who played in the match, while many others signed autographs and cheered their colleagues on from the boundary.

Paul Opacic was the pick of the Emmerdale contingent, scoring 28 cultured runs and bowling fast and straight. Lisa Riley opened the batting and drew loud applause when she hit her first run - off the bowling of Lady Emma Ingilby.

The highlight of the day, however, was when Chris Chittell was blown out of a cannon - emerging naked in the middle of the cricket pitch clutching a can of beer.

The match ended in an honourable draw, with the Presidents XI scoring 180 for 7 off 30 overs - with a stunning 50 off 32 balls from ex-Yorkshire and Cambridge University cricketer Neil Crawford. Emmerdale replied with 70 for four, before the skies opened and everyone rushed for cover. Lady Emma Ingilby, who organised the event in aid of the Candlelighters, said that the day had been a tremendous success, despite the weather.

"Obviously the rain was a disappointment, but everyone had a great time and we raised a good deal of money for a most worthwhile charity," she said.

See tomorrow's Evening Press for Robert Beaumont's in-depth report on the match.

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