Team-mates of a 21-year-old man who died in his Harpenden home have left tributes to the “warm, affable, intelligent, and witty” Oxford University student.

Matthew Beggs, known to friends as Matt, passed away in Otterton Close on September 23.

The former Roundwood Park student was a keen member of Harpenden Hockey Club where he played as a goalkeeper.

Club captain Fraser Tant said: “You couldn't wish to meet a nicer young man than Matt.

“Warm, affable, intelligent, witty - it is no surprise that so many members of Harpenden Hockey Club attended his funeral to pay their respects to a much loved, valued and respected friend and teammate.

“We all count ourselves lucky to have known him.”

Matt joined the club in his early teenage years and he became the goalkeeper for the first team aged 16.

Mr Tant added: “It soon became clear that we had an enormously talented goalkeeper on our hands.

“As the last line of defence, Matt had no fear in commanding his D, bellowing orders to older, more experienced defenders, and his quick feet, mobility and quick reactions regularly turned defeats into draws and draws into wins.

“He set himself and met very high standards.

“On numerous occasions, the opposition were starting to celebrate a goal only for Matt to somehow pick the ball out of the air and away to safety.”

After beginning a degree at Oxford Matt joined the university’s hockey team.

During his time on the team he earned a Blue, an award given at Oxford and Cambridge to students who excel in sports.

Mr Tant added: “When Matt went to university, Harpenden's loss became Oxford's gain.

“We were all enormously proud when he got his Blue, playing a major role in his university’s 5-2 triumph over Cambridge.”

As well as hockey Matt also had a passion for cricket and was a keen member of Old Albanian Cavaliers Cricket Club.

Mr Tant said: “He was an exceptionally talented goalkeeper, a fine batsman, a committed club man - but more important than all of this, a genuinely lovely young man.

“He will be much missed.”