PEMBROKESHIRE Sport lost one of its most well-known characters last week with the sad death of Peter Hall at the age of 69.

Along with rare talents like Barry Wood and the late Jack Capon, he was regarded as one of the top players of his time and could easily have claimed to have scored more runs than anyone in our county, playing for well over 50 years and enjoying success wherever he went.

Known as ‘Horlicks’, he was born in Carew to parents Jenkin and Veni Hall, and was such a naturally talented cricketer that he was part of the Carew team in his early teens that dominated in Pembrokeshire - and was opening bat with Dave Lovell when Lamphey moved to the top of the tree and more recently, joined Ian Poole in helping take Kilgetty up the divisions.

He also played for Cresselly for a season, joined old pal Tommy Roberts at St Florence and represented Hook.

I first met Peter in 1963 when I played for Pembroke Grammar School against the Coronation School on the small pitch at the park in Pembroke Dock, and he ruined what might have been a close game with his batting.

He was no mean bowler either and loved the limelight for that particular skill, especially on damp wickets where he could skid the ball about.

He soon became the top run-maker in the county, an automatic choice for the Pembrokeshire side, and played for Wales in Minor Counties and Glamorgan Seconds.

Pembroke County Club chairman Tony Scourfield said: “Peter was a natural talent and the bigger the occasion the more he loved being involved.

"He played alongside terrific players like Brian Morgan, my late namesake Tony Scourfield, Gethin Evans, Martin Cole and David Sefton amongst many others and I’m sure if he had been in today’s era he would have gone a lot further.

"Peter was a real character to know, on and off the field.”

Someone who opened the batting for a decade with ‘Horlicks’ was Tony’s son Nick, now secretary at Carew CC.

“I made my club debut as opening partner to Peter in 1989 at Neyland,” he said.

“I learnt so much about batting and the game in general with him, as we won the league three years in a row, and he was man of the match against Tish in the Harrison Allen Bowl final.

“He was hugely competitive and committed but also had a priceless talent for getting on with the opposition, especially after games as we chatted over a pint. I also played football with him but he was my cricket hero from when I was young and I’ll miss his character.”

Peter also helped Lamphey win league titles and the Harrison Allen Bowl and former teammate John Green told Telegraph Sport: “We were delighted when Peter and his son Brian joined us, because he was experienced, played well alongside our international players and was great in the changing room when the going got tough.

“Everyone respected him and it was lovely his mother came to watch us every game – and he will be sorely missed as a former giant of local cricket.”

Perhaps it is fitting that the final word should go to Nick Scourfield: “We were delighted Peter was well enough to watch our home semi-final in the National Village Cup, and it was brilliant that he came out on the eve of our final game of the season, when our President John Donnachie brought a team to play the club for charity.

“He opened for the President’s XI with Martin Cole to finish a long and distinguished career back on home turf, and managed to bat out the first over. We were thrilled his final cricket wish was granted because we will never see his like in Pembrokeshire again.”

We extend our deepest sympathies to Peter’s family and proof of his popularity is sure to be provided with a huge attendance at his funeral next Wednesday, November 9, at 11am at Carew Cheriton Church.