A CRICKET club has paid tribute to its bar manager who died suddenly at the age of 51.

Donna Munt, of Salmons Road, Odiham, died suddenly on the afternoon of June 7.

Odiham and Greywell Cricket Club, where she worked, said she had a hereditary heart defect that was diagnosed earlier this year.

Mrs Munt became involved with the club nine years ago, when her son Kyran started playing with the club’s Under-11 Colts side. She helped behind the bar and ran it jointly with David Thomas from 2009.

Club chairman Jason Cross said: “Donna had played an important role in helping the club re-establish its social life following the burning down of our old clubhouse and the opening of the new one just one year ago.

“She put together a super team of staff who provide a great service. She was a fast learner who enjoyed her role and enthused others with her quick sense of humour.

“Donna will be sadly missed and our thoughts and prayers go out to her husband Nigel, her daughter Kim and her son Kyran.”

Mrs Munt became the sole manager of the bar in 2011 when Mr Thomas went to work in the United States.

But in January 2012, disaster stuck the club, when the clubhouse burnt to the ground after burglars used an angle grinder in a vain attempt to open a safe.

Mrs Munt took up her role again in June last year, when a new £250,000 clubhouse was built following a fundraising campaign.

In April this year, Odiham and Greywell won Best Club of the Year 2014 in north Hampshire in a Campaign for Real Ale competition. Mrs Munt received a framed certificate from the campaign group.