AN Eynsham firefighter who died in a car crash last year has been remembered by his community in a cricket match.

The Joe Wilkins Memorial Cricket Match took place at Eynsham Cricket Club on Sunday and was attended by more than 100 people.

Mr Wilkins, a father of two, died after his bicycle was hit by a car driven by Paul Brown in Eaton Road in May last year. Brown, 29, of Oxford Road in Eynsham, was cleared by a jury of causing death by dangerous driving at Oxford Crown Court on Friday.

Mr Wilkins’s partner Nicci Saunders, 40, said: “The day gave us a bit of happiness. It was a really good day and everyone enjoyed it.

“It is a testament to Joe the fact that so many people came out and supported the charities.”

It was the second year the game had been played and last year’s event raised more than £800 for charity.

More than £1,000 is likely to be raised from Sunday’s event, with the cash split between charities SeeSaw and Oxfordshire Mind.

Brown has admitted causing Mr Wilkins’s death through careless driving and is due to be sentenced at the court on September 3.