MENSTON Cricket Club paid tribute to Ronnie C Beer, vice-president of the club, who died on September 18.

Ronnie played an active part at Menston CC from 1970, after being recruited from the then recently built Brooklands estate.

In his first season, Ronnie’s elegant batsmanship and competent wicketkeeping was an immediate asset to the club and, with 382 runs at an average of 22.47, he won the club’s 1st XI batting trophy that year.

In 1973, Ronnie was elected as 1st XI vice-captain to David Thackeray and became 2nd XI captain in 1979, a year in which Ronnie and wife Pat hosted an end of season party for the club.

In 1974, Ronnie was part of the Waddilove Cup final team that played against Guiseley. Batting first, Menston lost early wickets, but the middle order including Ronnie, kept hopes alive to post a total of 130. Although Guiseley were made to fight for every run, they were comfortable winners by six wickets.

Ronnie headed the junior section of Menston Cricket Club for a number of years, the highlight a tied Denison (under 18s) Cup final in 1978 with North Leeds.

The match, held at Menston, is reported as an extraordinary one, with Menston seemingly being victorious by one run.

The scenes of jubilations stopped, however, as the scorers together with team managers Ronnie Beer and Gordon Wales examined the scorebooks, and announced a tie with 122 runs each.

In 1986, Ronnie succeeded Kenneth Hanson as club president and Ronnie’s five-year term was highlighted by the erection of a new scorebox in memory of Stanley Atkinson, a life member of the club who died in 1988.

Menston CC celebrated the official opening of the new scorebox with a match played against an Australian XI in July 1990. Menston won the match by two runs.

As well as his endeavours with Menston CC, Ronnie played for the area NatWest bank cricket side, through his employment with the bank in Yeadon.

During his time, Ronnie played with and against many county and national cricketers and was well regarded as a mine of cricketing particulars and statistics.

His wife, Pat, died in November 2017 and he is survived by sons Mark and John, and grandchildren Holly, Sam and Tim. The thoughts of all at Menston CC are with Ronnie’s family at this time.

Ronnie’s funeral is at 1:40pm on Monday at Rawdon Crematorium, followed by Otley Golf Club.