Cricket clubs in Halstead and Braintree are hoping to play a memorial match in tribute to three members who died within days of each other.

President of Halstead Cricket Club, Peter Rawlinson, 78, was diagnosed with multiple inoperable brain tumours in September and died at home in Sudbury Road, Halstead, on December 7.

He died the same day as fellow club member, Eric Rose, 71, who suffered heart failure following a struggle with diabetes and a heart attack 12 years ago.

President of Braintree Cricket Club, Tom Gould, who had been a member of the club for more than 50 years, died in hospital on December 9 after a year-long battle with lung cancer.

Members of both clubs have decided to play a charity match together next year in tribute to all three members.

Callum Hansey, 21, a committee member at Halstead Cricket Club, said: “They were all important parts of the clubs."

See this week's Braintree and Witham Times for the full story.