Leroy (Tubby) Richardson was in characteristically great form a week ago when his family and best friends feted him with a party celebrating his 90th birthday.Known to almost everybody only as Tubby, wherever he has impacted throughout his colourful and active life, he has naturally taken centre stage, whether as a full bombardier in the old Bermuda Militia Artillery (BMAs), a St George’s Cricket Club Cup Match superstar or as a chief officer in the Prison Service. He was a spectacular all-rounder, played in 11 Cup Matches, four as captain. The Mid-Ocean News hailed him as “one of the finest sportsmen in Bermuda, whether on or off the field”. He was immaculate in dress and manner, and truly unforgettable.Guests at Paynter’s Land Fall Restaurant in Hamilton Parish, where the celebration took place, were fully entertained when Richardson recounted from his crystal clear memory some of the highlights of his life. His first job as a boy was pumping the organ at historic St. Peter’s Church. He was paid ten shillings a month, with two shillings extra for each funeral or wedding. He confessed that if there was anyone who ever prayed for a funeral, it was he.Tubby’s first Cup Match was in 1941. It was most memorable by the fact that he bowled and caught the legendary Alma (Champ) Hunt. It was a diving, one-hand catch, as he ran down the crease to dismiss Hunt.Champ had not long returned home because of the war, from playing professional cricket in Aberdeenshire, Scotland; there he had scored many double centuries amassing more than 1,000 runs in his first season.But Champ in all his spectacular Cup Match exploits before going abroad had never scored a century in the game. He had just scored his first, when Tubby got him. The scoreboard read 129 for 7, last man 104. Analysed, it shows the previous six Somerset players had scored only 25 runs, due to the strict bowling and fielding of St Georgians like Tubby Richardson.Even more spectacular performances were in the offing for Richardson in future Cup Matches. In his first year as captain he captured nine wickets for 56 runs (5 for 34 in the first innings and 4 for 22 in the second innings). That was in 1951when St George’s won the cup by 7 wickets.Here’s how The Mid-Ocean headlined its report: “Richardson Plays Captain’s Innings as Sr.George’s CC Win Cup Match.”The report added: “Richardson’s all round ability on the field Thursday and Friday was the highlight of the classic. His bowling, fielding and batting were superb and the manner in which he handled his team will allow him to take his place among the greatest cricketers ever in the colony.”The next year St George’s won by nine wickets. The 1953 game was a draw. Tubby recalled how the 1954 game was his last one as captain.“Woodgate Simmons mowed us down for 36 in the first innings. We recovered 228 all out in the second innings. Somerset needed 34 to win. But we captured four wickets before they won the match.”Tubby is a dedicated family man. He’s a widower and father of four sons, Leroy, Calvin, Randy and Tracey, and a daughter, Dr. Lynette Gibson. She teaches nursing in North Carolina.