A MEMORIAL cricket match has been held to remember two Taunton Deane and Bridgwater legends.

The Coombes Barrington trophy was played for the first time on Friday in memory of Taunton Deane stalwart Richard Coombes and Bridgwater's Kit Barrington.

Both Richard and Kit had many a great battle over countless seasons playing in the Somerset Cricket League so after their deaths three years ago, both families and clubs decided to hold the match in their name.

The match saw Bridgwater hit 175 from their 20 overs but Taunton Deane chased the runs down with three wickets spare.

Fast bowler Richard, 58, who was born and brought up in Taunton, joined the club in 1971 and played in the first team for around 25 years, captained the side from 1983 and 1986 and again in 1989.

He took over the role of secretary in 1990, a position he held until 2006, since when he had been chairman of the club.

He played for Taunton Outcasts before joining Taunton Deane and also represented Somerset Over 50s and when he died he was the highest wicket taker in the Somerset Cricket League.

One of his former team mates, Dave Stephenson, said: “He was one of the most respected bowlers in the league, very fair and very aggressive with the ball but he respected the umpire's decision.”

Friday was the first time the match has been played after two washouts in the last two years and it will be hosted by Bridgwater next season.

Kit, who was a solicitor, was a player for over 40 years and president at Bridgwater Cricket Club for 20 years.

He scored nearly 13,000 runs in the Somerset Cricket League and was still playing in their third team the season before he died.

His one nefarious claim to fame was that he was the only captain of the first team to ever get his team relegated, in 1986, but he brought them back up as champions the next year and they went onto win the Premier Division the following season.