One of Hampshire's oldest cricket clubs has celebrated its 150th anniversary by taking on the famous MCC.
Burley Cricket Club, which has played in the New Forest village since 1875, occasionally sees games interrupted by ponies and donkeys wandering across the pitch.
MCC - Marylebone Cricket Club - was founded in 1787 and has been based at Lord's Cricket Ground in London since 1814.
It was cricket's governing body from 1788 to 1993 and still enjoys a global reputation.
Burley's chairman, Kieron Hudson, said: "It's amazing to think the club has been an active part of the village for 150 years.
"We are so pleased to be able to host the MCC.
"It seems fitting that in celebrating our own history we can share it with one of England's most historic cricketing institutions."
The club's first matches were played on Burley Lawn, where the outline of the old square is still visible.
In 1900, the Rev A B Cummins became the local vicar and "formalised" the club, which resulted in it gaining a pavilion, better equipment, and a proper fixture list.
READ MORE: Fire rips through unfinished building at Burley in the New Forest
A few years later the club moved to Burley School Green, which involved a great deal of work as the site included gorse, deep gulleys, and a pond. The pavilion was transported to the new ground on a timber wagon pulled by a team of horses.
Cricket was suspended during the First World War but resumed after 1918 following a proposal put forward in the Queens Head pub.
In 1922 the club declined an invitation to join the Bournemouth and District League and did not become part of a formal league structure for another 51 years.
From 1930 onwards players raised vital funds by collecting donations from spectators during home fixtures.
In 1973 Burley joined - and won - Bournemouth Cricket League 4, before triumphing in League 3 the following year. The club also won Hampshire Regional Division 3 in 2008 and Regional Division 2 in 2009.
Burley competes in the annual New Forest Cricket Association "Stone Cup" and have lifted the trophy four times.
A club spokesperson said: "The club now only has a single Sunday team but retains a very full fixture list, with many opposition teams wishing to play a friendly game in beautiful New Forest surroundings."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here