Hadleigh Cricket Club pays its respects to Joshua Rix

Hadleigh Cricket Club has paid its respects to Joshua Rix who died last week at the age of 23. As well as posting a tribute on their website, the clubs A and B sides observed a minutes silence before their recent indoor matches.

On their website Hadleigh Cricket Club described Josh as a 'dear colleague and friend'. They said: "Josh was the life and soul of any team he played for, both in the dressing room and on the field.

"We all have very special memories of Josh and we will miss him enormously."

Josh had played for the club since he was 13 and was described as a hard-hitting and powerful batsman and exceptional close catcher.

As well as playing cricket for Hadleigh Josh also played for Sudbury Rugby Club. They will also be holding a minutes silence before their match against Norwich on Saturday January 21.

The match, which will start at 2.15pm at the Whittome Field, was originally scheduled for last weekend but was cancelled as a mark of respect for Josh.

Tragically Josh died whilst in Australia. He had flown out to the country after his mother Julie became seriously ill after she suffered a stroke.

Julie Rix, 61, who lived in Hadleigh with her husband, sadly died before Josh and his brother got to see her.

Today the Suffolk Free Press has paid a touching tribute to Josh and his mother Julie in their paper. To read their story online please click here.