CRICKET players came together for the first time since their club was closed in tribute of a former player.

The former Blake Hall Cricket Club, which shut in 1991, held a match in honour of the late Dennis Howland, a keen member who died last June.

The 86-year-old, of Bobbingworth Green, was passionate about St Clare’s Hospice and the group raised £1,540 at Fyfield in his honour.

Nephew Barry Howland said: “It was a great day, everyone came together while it was sunny to remember Den.

“A few hadn’t played cricket in around 25 years so they are still all very stiff and aching.

“It’s amazing that after all this time, we still had so many people willing to play.”

Dennis joined the club in the 1960s and at one point, nine members of the same family played for the team.

But the players all kept in touch and when the idea came about at Dennis’s funeral, everyone jumped at the chance to play another game.

Essex County Cricket Club, where Dennis was a season ticket holder, donated prizes for the raffle draw at the match on Sunday.

Speaking about the family’s decision to support St Clare’s, Mr Howland added: “The hospice has been extremely helpful towards my family and we’d like to promote this wonderful charity.

“Dennis left a chunk of money to the hospice in his will as they looked after some of our family members, so it was fitting really.”