The flag at Somerset Cricket Club is flying at half-mast this week in honour of late all-rounder Winton (Timmy) Edwards whose legacy will forever live on through his extraordinary exploits in Cup Match.

Edwards died earlier this week following a bout with illness, aged 79.

The left-arm fast bowler and right-handed opening batsman represented Somerset in Cup Match between 1948 and 1962 and is best remembered for his unbeaten 170 achieved in the West End in 1950 that surpassed the previous highest individual score in the classic set by team-mate Lloyd Simmons (146) the year before at the newly opened Somerset Cricket Club ground.

In 1948 Edwards made a triumphant arrival onto the Cup Match scene as one of three colts Somerset used in a famous innings and 11 run win over St.George's at Wellington Oval under late captain Alma (Champ) Hunt.

He also formed a lethal bowling partnership with Austin (Cheesey) Hughes in 1954 that skittled St.George's out for a paltry 36 in the first innings to lay the foundation for Somerset's six-wicket win at Somerset Cricket Club that ended the West Ender's three-year Cup Match famine.

Edwards retired from Cup Match with a batting average of 30.07 and also claimed 23 scalps in the classic at an average of 19.57.

Former Somerset skipper, Woodgate Simmons, described his late team-mate as one of the greatest all-rounders the Island has produced.

"Timmy was a magnificent cricketer and I was fortunate enough to be playing when he came into the team as a colt in 1948. He was an outstanding opening batsman and we have truly lost another legend," Simmons told The Royal Gazette.

In 1954 the Somerset selectors' experiment to have Edwards share the new ball with the late Nathan Proctor paid dividends as the former proved equal to the task, snatching five first innings wickets for nine runs to spur the West Enders to another historic victory - the club's first triumph on their present ground.

"Timmy was bowling well that year and I encouraged him to take the new ball," Simmons recalled. "He was a left-handed bowler who had the ability to move the ball all around.

"Timmy is one of the best players I ever played with. If I had to pick a side to represent Somerset, Timmy would always be my number one opening batsman and he was a magnificent all-rounder."

In 1950 Simmons had the privilege of watching history unfold as Edwards smashed his way into the Cup Match record books with a then top knock of 170 not out. "I sat up there with my pads on and watched Timmy and Kenny Maybury put on this big partnership and said to myself, 'my God, these guys aren't going to get out'. I went sleep and did all kinds of things. Timmy Edwards was probably the best opening bat during my time and one of the best Somerset ever had."

Edwards' top knock of 170 remained the highest innings by a Somerset batsman for 51 years until Janeiro Tucker eventually raised the bar in 2001 with a belligerent 186 at Wellington Oval.

In a touching gesture (see picture), the late Edwards strolled out to the crease to personally congratulate Tucker on reaching the milestone.

"It was a great honour to have Timmy Edwards come onto the pitch and personally congratulate me for breaking his record," Tucker recalled.

"He told me to take my time and go after Lloyd James' record (173 not out) and then try and get a double century.

"Timmy Edwards was definitely one of the greatest cricketers of his era."

Leroy (Tubby) Richardson, a former St.George's Cup Match skipper, also spoke highly of the late Edwards.

"Timmy was a very attacking bowler and a great batsman. His 170 not out (in Cup Match) speaks for itself and as far as I am concerned Timmy is one of the greatest cricketers this Island has ever produced," he said.

"Timmy and I had some tough battles over the years. He was a no-nonsense player; a very tough, strict human being who always had the will to win."

After retiring from cricket Edwards remained active in the sport by serving as a groundsman at White Hill Field and Somerset Cricket Club where he prepared many pitches for Cup Match.

"Timmy was a meticulous groundsman, he always wanted everything to be done right," recalled former Somerset and Bermuda batsman Winston Reid.

"He always paid particular attention to his work and afterwards he would watch the match to see how the pitch played. Timmy really loved his work."