ONE of South Lakeland's finest sporting polymaths has died at the age of 94.

The death of Roger Holdsworth will be mourned at his funeral service to be held at Beetham Hall Crematorium tomorrow afternoon.

Born and bred in Storth, he lived all his life in the village apart from his war service as a radar engineer in Oldham.

It was in Oldham that he met his beloved wife, Katherine, who died in August, aged 96. Daughter Karen and son Andrew followed.

Educated at Heversham Grammar School, Mr Holdsworth's flair for sport was nurtured. In 1939 he was the all round star of the cricket XI and won the Westmorland Boys' Tennis Championship.

Ultimately he took over the Sandside printing business established by his father, Arthur. For many years the quaint wooden building close to The Ship Inn was a feature of the estuary frontage. The business ceased with Mr Holdsworth's retirement.

With his natural athleticism and hand to eye co-ordination, Mr Holdsworth could play any sport but excelled in two - badminton and cricket. With his wife he played badminton for Arnside, and was soon picked for the county side, competing in tournaments the length and breadth of the country.

With his partner, Mrs J Gillies, he won the Yorkshire Badminton Association Open Doubles Championship on three occasions between 1954-56 and secured the trophy as a permanent memento.

But the ultimate accolade had come in 1953 with his selection for the national side to play against Ireland. Seven more caps followed including playing against Denmark in Copenhagen. As an England international his handicap was almost punitive but the wins continued.

In 1945-6, Mr Holdsworth played cricket for Royton in the Central Lancashire League. The 1945 professional was Alf Gover, the Surrey and England fast bowler. So impressed was he with the technique and style of the 21-year-old that he invited him south for trials.

This was the calibre of cricketer Arnside CC welcomed in 1947. His first game set the tone. He scored 48 out of a team total of 67. A feature throughout Mr Holdsworth's career was keeping his head and wicket in hand while all around were losing theirs.

In the annals of the Westmorland Cricket League, 1952 is regarded as 'The Year of Holdsworth' after a sensational season of batting. The last game saw him just eight runs short of a century. Nobody had ever scored 500 runs before Mr Holdsworth, who was affectionately known as HRH, hit 681. His average of 56.75 was unheard of.

He first captained the Westmorland Cricket League XI in 1962 and became the 'go to' man at club and representative level. His elusive century came in 1967 against Morecambe Old Grammarians when he scored 104 in just 85 minutes.

His name will forever be revered in South Lakeland sporting circles.