The annual `Old Boys' match pitting veterans from Harris Bay against their equally seasoned Somerset counterparts celebrates its 50th anniversary tomorrow at Harris Bay Field.

But regardless who walks away with this year's spoils and bragging rights, Faith Tabernacle Church will still emerge as the day's biggest winner.

Last year, St.John Ambulance Brigade were the grateful recipients of donations collected during the annual match won by Harris Bay at Somerset Cricket Club.

Since its inception in 1952, lone surviving chairman for the event, Frederick Tucker says that over the years his committee has generously donated in excess of $50,000 to local charities.

Somerset won the inaugural match played at Darrell's Oval (Talbot's property), a stone's throw away from the present Harris Bay Field - the venue for tomorrow's match.

Tucker, 79, is also a former secretary and vice-president of Somerset Cricket Club and father of another former Somerset great, Reggie Tucker Sr.

His grandson, Reggie Jr currently plays for Willow Cuts.

"Harrington Zuill happened to see a trophy in the window at Masters shop in Hamilton," Tucker recalled.

"So he decided to go in and check on the price which was to steep for him at that time.

"He asked them could they put it aside, which they did and told him that if he wasn't there on Monday then they were going to put it back in the window."

Promising to return, Zuill approached some of his teammates at Harris Bay Club, Lionel Darrell Sr, Attic Burgess, Headley Burgess, and James Richardson, for help covering the costs of the trophy valued at ?10 and ten shillings.

"Of course, early Monday morning as soon as the shop opened, Harrington went to pay for the trophy, but once he got it he didn't know what to do with it.

"So he called me and wanted to know whether we wanted to have a game of cricket together.

"I was skipper of Somerset and he was skipper of Harris Bay. I replied `yes'."

Tucker further pointing out that the match was initially designated as a family day to be held on the first Thursday of September, because school was due to re-open the following Monday.

"We said that we would have a field day, have the game of cricket and have all of the families out together. That's actually how we started."

Collecting donations for charity came about ten years later in 1962.

"We were having all of the fun, and so we decided to try and help others," Tucker added.

The match also affords the sporting public one last opportunity to witness former legends in action, with past Cup Match players Charles Fubler, Kevin Saunders, Roger Hunt and Dennis Wainwright Sr all taking part in tomorrow's historic match.

Former Willow Cuts' great Bernard Brangman will lead Somerset, while Michael McGowan Jr will captain Harris Bay.

Harris Bay: Michael McGowan Jr (capt), Mekel Smith, Maxwell Musson, Dennis Wainwright Sr, Sinclair Archibald, Herndon Smith, Lewellyn Smith, Brian Swan, Dean Smith, Bill Fox, Michael Burgess, Peter Richardson (colt), Dennis Musson.