Rochester Tigers player Matt ‘Dinger’ Dingwall and Rochester United’s Matt ‘Elvis’ O’Donoghue were tragically killed in separate road accidents at a young age but they left a lifetime of memories at their respective cricket clubs and the town itself.
With the Tigers and United merging in the off-season to form Rochester Cricket Club, Sunday was a chance for the whole community to come together to honour the two larger than life identities.
A 24-over a side cricket match was held with 12 players on each team.
Dinger’s side made about 200 and Elvis’ team made close to 300 in reply with the shortened boundaries helping to ensure the high totals.
Rochester cricketer Dylan Cuttriss said it was an ‘‘absolutely massive day’’.
‘‘It was fantastic. The weather was great and there were heaps of people around,’’ Cuttriss said.
‘‘It was a casual day. At the end we had a talk about what the two guys meant to the club and to the town.’’
The fathers of Matt Dingwall and Matt O’Donoghue presented a medal to a player from each of the teams as chosen by the Dingwall and O’Donoghue families to the person who best epitomised the respective Matts.
The Dinger Medal went to Nick Hyden and the Elvis medal was awarded to Sam Frawley.
Cuttriss said ‘Matt Day’ was set to become an annual event.
‘‘It was a great community event,’’ he said.
‘‘Everyone who came along certainly enjoyed themselves.’’