Memorial day to mark 40th anniversary of Hampset legend’s death

Hampset will host a memorial day next month to mark the 40th anniversary of the death of former club captain Dave Walters.

Hampset are holding a memorial day to mark the 40th anniversary of the death of club legend Dave Walters | Photos courtesy of Hampset Cricket Club

The tribute will take place at the club’s Bloomfield Rise ground in Odd Down on Saturday 9th August.

A club spokesman said: “Dave was a talismanic figure at the club, being an outstanding all-rounder, a hard-hitting batter, an excellent slip fielder but, above all, a fearsome quick opening bowler with a smooth run-up and copybook action.

“In 1955 he joined Hampset, where he played all his club cricket for the remainder of his life.

“Dave captained the 1st XI from 1969 until 1971 and from 1981 until 1986.

“He took 1,628 wickets, scored 8,243 runs and held 352 catches for the club.

“His on-field prowess was admired by the local cricketing community, and he was widely considered to be one of the fastest bowlers in the area.

“Dave not only represented Somerset County Cricket Club 2nd XI on numerous occasions in the early 1960s, but he was also an excellent football goalkeeper, playing for Odd Down in the Somerset Senior League.

“Away from the field of play, he was an active and enthusiastic Hampset club member and was involved in the planning for the new clubhouse that was built in 1987.

“Sadly, he did not live long enough to see the completed building due to his untimely death during the tea interval of a home league cricket match against Taunton Deane on Saturday 9th August 1986.”

Everyone is welcome to attend the memorial day, which will include several matches.

There will be a barbecue and a raffle, and the bar will be open.

The programme for the day is: 9am – youth match, 11am – women’s match, 2pm – inter-club matches, 5pm – tribute to Dave Walters by Malcolm Johnson. Timings are approximate.