A PRANKSTER dressed in a top hat, T-shirt and see-through stockings interrupted a village cricket match.

The young man surprised the players - and spectators - when he ran on to the pitch in Mobberley.

It was the second time in a month that a mystery joker in fancy dress has disrupted play at the Church Lane ground.

Steve Edwards, co-ordinator of the club’s junior teams, said the intruder’s stockings left very little to the imagination.

“Everything was on show,” he said.

About a month ago two men - dressed as superheroes Spiderman and Batman - performed a similar stunt when they ran on to the pitch.

Club chairman Dave Potts gave chase but was unable to catch the two jokers before they fled into nearby fields.

“He didn’t seem to be able to match their super powers,” said Mr Edwards.

Saturday’s incident happened at about 5.30pm during Marple’s innings against Mobberley 2nds.

The man - believed to be in his 20s - is thought to have been with accomplices who were hiding nearby.

His hat was similar to the stovepipe worn by former American president Abraham Lincoln.

The prankster ran on to the pitch, near The Church Inn pub, during a crucial stage of the game.

A fielder from the home team tripped up the man and others attempted to tackle him.

But he wriggled free and ran away into fields bordering the ground.

However, Mr Edwards said the intruder might have had a painful getaway.

“There are brambles and nettles and everything in there,” he said.

Before the incident the home team had been playing well.

But when play resumed the side’s fortunes faded and they eventually lost.

Mr Edwards, a milkman at Sheldon’s in Knutsford, said the disturbance may not have helped the home team.

“That could have affected their concentration,” he said.