Mackih McGowan paid a heart-warming visit to his bedridden grandmother after fulfilling her wish of wrestling the Eastern Counties Cup from holders Bailey’s Bay.

The Cleveland County captain had a burning desire to make Roseclair McGowan proud, which his team did after beating Bay by 61 runs at St David’s last Saturday.

With the trophy in hand, McGowan, wife Latonae and children Mhavi and Mhaven visited the Sylvia Richardson Care Facility to celebrate his team’s famous victory with the 98-year-old who remains an avid cricket fan.

“My family and I showed her the cup the following day and she was very excited,” McGowan told The Royal Gazette.

“She said a big thank you and definitely made it known that she’s proud of me and to keep up the good work.”

McGowan said his grandmother’s health and spirits have improved since the Harris Bay club’s cup success.

“It has boosted her spirits up,” he said.

“She has been bedridden for two months but is now actually able to sit up in her gurney and get some exercise. She is also starting to eat solid food, so it looks like it has boosted her up a bit. It’s amazing what this success has done, not just for her, but the community as well.”

McGowan’s proud father, former Cleveland captain McNeil McGowan, was moved by his son’s gesture.

“It was very touching because my mom is not just a Cleveland fan but an avid County Cup fan,” he said.

“She used to go to every game whether Cleveland was playing or not. When her sight was good she used to watch the Test matches and 50 overs contests on TV, especially when West Indies were playing.

“That was a proud moment and has actually excited her. She’s come around a little bit more than before and bringing the cup was really exciting.”

McNeil McGowan is proud of his son and all at Cleveland County after the big win at the weekend

“I am extremely proud of them,” he said. I know the work they have put in to try to train for County Cup and disregarding the league position they are in. They have tried to revive the training they were doing to be positive for County Cup, so I am very proud of what they have achieved.”

The former Cleveland captain is also thrilled to see his son emulate him in taking the cup to Harris Bay.

“He has always said his aim was to be captain and especially to win the County Cup as captain,” he said.

“He has won it before as a player but he wanted to win it as captain as well so it’s a very proud moment. He stuck to his guns and he achieved it.”

Having regained the cup, McGowan and his fellow team-mates are hoping to defend it against St David’s in the final round at Lord’s on August 30.

“As much as it was a great accomplishment, the real accomplishment is keeping the cup, so we are now preparing for the St David’s game,” he said.