IT is a game which has gone down in legend for one North Yorkshire family. And it was Frank Skilbeck's dream to recreate it.

Nearly 130 years ago, a team comprised entirely of Skilbecks took to the crease and played a cricket match against a side from Escrick.

The match, in 1877, dominated the thoughts of Frank - a keen cricketer who once held a record for batting a century and taking nine wickets in the same game.

But the former joiner died in February, aged 82, before his plan to hold a modern version could become reality.

Now his family, who are from Easingwold, have stepped in to hold a cricket match in Frank's honour - and the man himself will still play a part.

Frank's son, Ken, who runs Easingwold firm Franken Properties, has put a 21st century Skilbeck XI and they will take on friends and cricketers - known as The Outlaws - in a special 20-over match tomorrow at Easingwold Cricket Club.

Ken said the family had constructed a life-size cardboard cut-out of Frank, complete with bat and cricket whites. It would be the 12th man.

He said the match was the ideal way to say goodbye to his dad. "My dad was a keen cricketer and fast bowler and held records for wicket taking in Division Three of the York and District League. He played for Easingwold.

"My granddad was born in Escrick and my dad heard about this game when he played in a team of Skilbecks and my dad wanted to recreate it - but he didn't get to see it bear fruit.

"We all play, or have played, cricket and we wanted to do this as a tribute. We have a life-size cut-out of Frank so he is with us to see the game.

"A couple of Skilbeck sisters are playing and the opposition - the Outlaws - includes people like my brother-in-law.

"If Frank could have seen this, he would have laughed his socks off. Everyone is really looking forward to this game."

The match begins at 3pm.

Updated: 09:21 Saturday, August 27, 2005