Local Sport

Clyst St. Mary slump to defeat as wicket-keeper "Hoppy" dies

A fine match between Clyst St. Mary and Newton St. Cyres was overshadowed by the death of Clyst St. Mary wicket-keeper Leonard "Hoppy" Hooper (59). He had been complaining of "flatular problems" during his below par innings, contributing a score of only 4 to Clyst St. Mary's total of 88-9.

Despite team-mates concerns, Hooper went out and took up position behind the stumps for the start of the Newton St. Cyres innings. It is not known exactly when Hooper died, as rigour mortise set in and his crouched position behind the stumps was maintained. Doctors have since speculated that he may have died as early as the second over, without any of the players or umpires having noticed. Indeed, Clyst St. Mary captain Roger Birds later commented in an interview "I actually thought Hoppy played better than usual, although his death may explain the unorthodox manner he showed of stopping the ball using his head."

As a mark of respect to Leonard Hooper's family - and as the rigour mortise is still effectual - "Hoppy" Hooper is to be dipped in concrete and placed at the Grounds entrance as a statue.