COLIN KNAPP, SARISBURY ATHLETIC

Sarisbury Athletic cricketers have been deeply saddened by the sudden death of their former captain and wicketkeeper Colin Knapp, aged 48, who had been involved with the club from a very early age. 
A hard hitting batsman, very capable of striking lusty blows, he excelled behind the stumps, particularly standing up to the wicket.
Colin played for many seasons for Sarisbury Athletic, skippering both the club's first and second teams in the Hampshire League, besides captaining Hamble in Evening League matches. 
In recognition of his long and loyal service, he had recently been made a life member of the Sarisbury club.
He retired from cricket four years ago and was planning to spend his Saturday afternoons this summer watching Sarisbury with his father Brian in their new Premier League environment.
In a moving tribute, long term Sarisbury Athletic teammate Mike Brogan said: “Colin was a dedicated cricketer who derived great pleasure from playing. He was always totally reliable, often excellent - a match winner on his day.
“Colin had a life long affair with cricket.  He took a pride in what he did, and played with energy and pleasure. He was always totally absorbed. Old fashioned words like decency and modesty come to mind when you think of him.
“He was a courageous and enthusiastic stump minder and pulled off some spectacular stumpings, putting pressure on batsmen with his repartee and tidy keeping.
“The opposition knew there were no liberties to be taken with Colin, who was always very helpful and a never-ending source of information to the captain, and not least helped to make the throwing in look above average!
“Colin captained the Sarisbury 1st XI from 1988-92 and was an inspirational leader,  tactically astute but above all, he made things happen rather than wait for situations to arise. He had a superb cricketing brain and his tactical awareness shone throughout.
Colin truly had the cricket bug and was captivated by the game. His love of cricket  was absolute and his appetite for it insatiable. In everything he did he embodied the qualities of the greatest of games.
His funeral is in the East Chapel of Southampton Crematorium on Friday [16 January] at 10.20am. Family flowers only.
Charitable donations to the Countess Mountbatten House and the British Heart Foundation  should be sent to the funeral directors: Jonathan Terry, 101 Peartree Avenue, Southampton SO19 7JJ.