Derek Baskerville, described as a doyen of Knutsford bowling, had a heart attack as he played a match at Mere Parish Club.

He was 74.

Minutes earlier he told a friend he was enjoying the game after staging a remarkable comeback.

"I told him to keep it going and he replied 'I am really enjoying this,'" said Stan Marlow.

"I turned my back and when I looked round again he was on the floor."

Players tried to resuscitate Derek after he collapsed in front of a crowd of nearly 40.

Yesterday (Tuesday), his younger brother Ray said it was some comfort to know he was happy before he died.

"We were told he was enjoying himself and that helps," he said.

Over the years Derek has played his part in a family dynasty which includes his other brother Pat.

A trophy is named after their late father Walter, and Derek won it in 1978 - beating brother Ray to the title.

"It has been special and quite unique for the family over the years to be a part of bowling in Knutsford," said Ray.

Derek never moved from the house where the boys grew up in Mere.

A day before his death he had cycled into Knutsford along a route where he was known as a regular.

For years he made a similar journey as he travelled to work at Cranford Lodge where he was a boilerman.

Before that he had been an electrical engineer, but was forced to retire because of ill health 15 years ago.

After five heart bypasses he had to convalesce in Yorkshire, but soon returned to Knutsford's bowling greens.

The honorary life member of Knutsford Private Club was taught to play by his father on the club's green as a boy.

Together the father and sons dominated the sport and formed half of the club's team which won the league and cup double in 1968.

"We were always a closely-knit family because we lost our mother when we were young," said Ray.

"Bowling just ran through us and we used to go and watch my father when we were boys.

"There were some very good bowlers around and Derek learned by watching them."

Derek was known for his generosity at the club and often donated money to the children's Christmas parties without saying a word.

On one occasion he took all his friends out for a night at The Royal George after a win on the horses which was another of his passions.

"He would fight you to get to the bar to buy a round of drinks," said Mr Marlow. Derek was also always on hand to lend a hand whenever he could.

"He spent a lot of time on the clubhouse roof looking for leaks and we just couldn't stop him," said sister-in-law Olive.

On Monday, fellow bowlers will remember their old rival and friend at a funeral service at St Paul's Church, Tabley, at 11.30am.

Mr Marlow said he would be missed by all. "He was one of the doyens of Knutsford bowling," he said.