CRICKET lovers are mourning the loss of a well-known and respected player and groundsman.

Local man Peter Snell passed away aged 82 last weekend and many have paid tribute to the Test Valley cricketing legend.

Peter first played for East Tytherley Cricket Club as a boy in the late 1940’s and was associated with the club for more than half a century.

He played as a batsman for many years and collected thousands of runs before retiring from the game. Nevertheless, the stalwart East Tytherlian stayed with the club, taking on the role as groundsman.

And in this position, Peter excelled.

The cricket ground always had an idyllic setting typical of an English village. Peter however turned it into one of the most desirable Hampshire grounds to play at, almost singlehandedly.

Not a summer’s day went by when he was not working on the pitch. His talent did not stop at preparing the pitch.

He was closely involved in other projects such as extending the square, new practice nets etc, in fact every aspect to do with maintenance and improvements at the ground.

One of his finest achievements being the total, single handed, refurbishment of the old 1946 Pavilion. Peter started work in the September of 2001 and completed the works in March 2002, ready for the coming season. He worked on the project every day throughout that winter – a truly special groundsman. For his efforts Hampshire Cricket League awarded him the “Ground of the Year Trophy” in 2002.

East Tytherley cricketers over the decades have been indebted to Peter for this dedication and hard work, as have visiting teams from far and wide, including OTs and Romsey who now play regularly at the ground.

Peter was really special and the club, as well as those who knew him, feel privileged to have played at the ground he created. Clubmen like he was are very few and far between, East Tytherley Cricket Club were so fortunate to have had him as their groundsman.

Ivan Young, ex-captain of the club, said: "Peter, as a bowler who played for many seasons on your wickets you prepared, I have one last request, prepare me a seaming wicket for when I join you on the other side."