THE son of the late Worcestershire cricket stalwart Brian Howorth said his father “would have smiled” if he had seen a charity cricket match played in his honour.

Spectators gathered at Malvern Cricket Club to see The Fossils face the Brian Howorth XI, which raised over £300 for the British Heart Foundation in tribute to the veteran.

The 69-year-old, of Napleton Lane, Kempsey, collapsed after suffering a heart attack during a match and passed away at Worcestershire Royal Hospital three days later, on Wednesday, July 3.

Mr Howorth was well known across the county for his cricketing feats, as well as for his time running How-arth’s Newsagents in Bridge Street, Worcester.

His son Andy, from St Peter’s, organised the memorial match based on an idea his father had for a game to be played at the end of the cricket season.

His father even had a trophy inscribed with ‘Brian Howorth Memorial Cup’ while he was still alive, much to the amusement of his family.

A crowd of about 50 people gathered to see his wish become a reality as The Fossils team were narrowly beaten by the Brian Howorth XI.

Andy said: “I think dad would have really loved it.

“He devised this cup and if he could have seen it being handed over he would have smiled.

“The game was played in exactly the right spirit be-cause he always wanted a quite close and friendly game.

“Everyone had lots of fun.”

He said he hoped to organise another match next year.

Andy and his wife Leanne’s son, Daniel, kept score and John Reynolds, founder of The Fossils, gave a speech next to the wicket where Mr Howorth collapsed before a minute’s silence was held.