FRIENDS and colleagues played a memorial cricket match to remember a popular sport teacher who died last year.
Alan Bailey was a much-loved teacher at Maltings Academy, in Spinks Lane, Witham, and its predecessor school John Bramston.
The teacher, who taught generations of Witham children, died after a short battle with cancer in July last year.
Colleagues and former students came together at Terling Cricket Club for a fundraising T20 match.
Peter Tompkin, fellow teacher at Maltings, said: "Alan played for the club and inspired so many students to join up too. Old friends of Alan's came out for the beautiful day to remember the great man.
"Alan would have been overjoyed to see so many people there. It was an absolutely packed house, with everyone throwing money into the charity tin in his memory."
The event consisted of two 20-over matches between a Maltings XI and Terling Veterans, plus Maltings against the current Terling team.
The day, which was also held in memory of club member Maureen Linnett, raised more than £400 for Macmillan Cancer Support nurses. The 100 friends and relatives of Mr Bailey also unveiled a memorial bench at the cricket club.
Club captain Alex Taylor said: "It was a brilliant day. I've never seen a crowd like that at one of our events in the 12 years I've been playing, which is testament to Alan and all the guys at Maltings Academy.
"Terling won both games but none of the Maltings guys had ever really played cricket. It was more about the spirit the games were played in which was brilliant again.
"We also raised £400 for Macmillan through the catering, organised by Cheryl Woolfenden, and the raffle."
