The island’s cricket community suffered another loss over the weekend with the passing of Willie Weldon, the former Flatts and Bermuda batsman, at the age of 59.

Weldon, who played for Bermuda in the ICC Trophy in 1982, also made his lone Cup Match appearance for St George’s that year.

Weldon enjoyed more success in the Eastern Counties where he was part of the Flatts team that won the inaugural Champion of Champions competition in 1978.

“It is a shock not only to the Flatts community but also the Eastern Counties community,” said Stephen Douglas, the ECCA president, who played against Weldon in the 1970s and 80s. Douglas was also saddened by the death of Fiqre Crockwell, the St David’s cricketer.

“It was a tough weekend for us. We never know these things are going to happen and we offer our prayers to both families at this time.

“Willie started his county cup career in the historic year of 1973 when the cup went around. He was a colt along with Treaddy Gibbons and Brandon Woolridge at Flatts.

“We played against each other and Flatts beat us again in 1978 when they became the first Champion of Champions. That was the year that [Garfield] Sobers came here.

“On behalf of the officers and members of the Eastern Counties I give my condolences to his family and the Flatts community.”

Weldon was predeceased by wife Yvette Weldon. He leaves behind son William Weldon Jr, daughters, Naomi and Jacquelyn Ratteray, and his siblings Terrance Wilton, Delores Hansey and Alana Hypolite.