Annual memorial cricket match in memory of Matthew raises money for Macmillan Cancer Support

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On Wednesday 19 June, Leeds Trinity students, staff and alumni joined forces to take part in the 2019 Matthew Huggett Memorial Cricket Match at Horsforth Hall Cricket Club, raising over £100 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

An annual event, the Memorial Match has taken place every year since 2014, to remember former student Matthew Huggett and bring members of the Leeds Trinity community together through cricket and rugby matches.

Matthew, originally from Essex, sadly passed away in December 2013 when he was just 21. He was diagnosed with Metastatic Ewing's sarcoma, a rare form of spinal cancer, which prevented him from completing his Sports Journalism degree.

This year's 20:20 cricket match was between the Lions (Leeds Trinity University's Cricket Club), and a mixed staff and alumni team captained by alumnus Richard Simpson. The match was organised by students Jake Jones and Elliott Jennings, alumnus Richard Simpson, and Alumni Relations Officer Brett Arnall.

The staff and alumni team batted first and set a total of 146 runs for the Lions to chase. The Lions quickly got to work and eclipsed this total with a few overs and batsmen to spare. Final year student Jake Jones, in his last match for the Lions, was presented with the Matthew Huggett trophy by Matthew's father Steven.

Jake, who graduates this summer in Sports Journalism, said: "It has been an absolute pleasure to take part in the Matthew Huggett Memorial Match throughout my three years of representing the Lions. It is a really important cause and a fabulous way to remember Matthew. With it being my last match for the Lions it was a tremendous honour to lift the Matthew Huggett trophy."

Throughout the event, players and spectators contributed to a collection which raised £169. All money raised will go to Macmillan Cancer Support who both assisted and treated Matthew during his illness.?

Brett Arnall, Alumni Relations Officer and this year's event organiser, said: "I would like to thank everyone who took part and for Horsforth Hall Cricket Club for hosting this match. It was made an even more special occasion with the Huggett family travelling all the way from Colchester to be present and they were joined by several of Matthew's former classmates and friends. I had a few sleepless nights worrying about the weather but in the end everything on the day worked out perfectly."?

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