'Knysna will miss you'

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KNYSNA CRICKET NEWS - After an eight-year stint at Knysna Municipality, in which he made an evident mark on his community, Eben Phillips bade farewell to the town on Friday 30 October in a friendly cricket match between his side, the Sons of Pitches, and the Young Guns.

Phillips' team was made up of various former team-mates who took part in the old cricket night league with him while Young Guns was made up of players from local cricket clubs.

The match was played under the lights at the Hornlee Sports Ground. Sons of Pitches won the toss and elected to bowl first, and Phillips was handed the ball to get the game going. After a rusty first delivery he turned back the clock and pulled a classic yorker out of the arsenal for a wicket with the second delivery of the game.

After a second wicket in his second over, Phillips' opening spell was a sign of things to come as Young Guns slumped to 31-5 in the first six overs. Thanks to a resurgent innings from Byron Jantjies (Young Guns' top scorer with 36 not out), and a few cameos from the tail order, Young Guns managed to make their way to 102 all out, setting a target of 103 for Sons of Pitches.

"I can't remember the last time I held a cricket ball, so I was really stiff, but it was amazing to be on the field again," Phillips said in the innings break.

Thanks to a strong start, Sons of Pitches were soon on the front foot as they reached 61-4 in the first 11 overs, with two batsmen retired* after reaching 20. Phillips started well with bat in hand, reaching a quick-fire 11 off six balls before he was caught.

Eben Phillips gets ready to bowl the first ball.

Some resilient bowling followed in the second half of the innings from the Young Guns, and despite Sons of Pitches top-scorer Reggie Donson (28 not out) returning at the end of the innings, they were restricted to 96 in the allotted 20 overs, handing Young Guns a narrow six-run victory.

After the game, everyone came together to give Phillips a guard of honour as he made his way off the field. "You have done amazing things for Hornlee, and for this town," said organiser of the game, Bryan Campher. "We will definitely miss you, and Knysna will miss you."

Photo gallery: Eben Phillips bade farewell at cricket match

Campher handed Phillips a comme-morative Sons of Pitches plaque to take with him to Cape Agulhas Municipality, where he will serve as municipal manager. "I have so many fond memories of Knysna, but this night league will always be the thing that stands out above it all for me," Phillips said.

"When I joined night league, it was the first time I felt at home in Knysna, and many of these guys have become close friends over the years. I am so grateful for you all."

The Sons of Pitches team which Eben Phillips was part of. Photos: Blake Linder