We were deeply sad to learn that Mike “Pal” Phillips had passed away on the 11th August 2025. Mike had fitted a great deal into his life and a celebration was held at The Elmwood Park Bowling Club, where Mike was also member after he finished his cricket playing cricket days.

Mike caught the cricket bug at a young age and came through the Eastbourne Cricket Club, Lower Hutt. At Mike’s celebration was an Eastbourne CC 2XI scorebook from 1939, first pages included a completed ECC match, the rest of the fixtures seemed to me like a young Mike scoring test matches and provincial fixtures at the Basin Reserve or from listening to radio commentary as was the custom to do at the time.

It was then onto Wellington College in the class of 1953 where was a champion boxer, played rugby and was selected for their 1st XI with 3 other Eastbourne players, a talking point at the time. Mike was always very proud to be a Wellington College Old Boy and was very active in the Canterbury branch as well as attending the regular Wellington College vs The Willows CC match.

A friendship at school lead to a lifelong involvement in the Eskay – Hills Hats and clothing industry as a sales agent representing several lines, and Mike was always very well turned out.

On arriving in Canterbury, Mike joined the West Christchurch University Cricket Club playing a senior match in a very good side, earning cap#304 and putting his left arm slow bowling into action regularly for the next 30 years across many grades and keeping life long friendships. (a note for Bryce McKenzie – gear custodian from the period, if you are reading this the 1982 2a scorebook was with Mike). He was often the first to volunteer and was involved in coaching, selecting and managing sides, and was terrific fundraiser for the club.

Here is a tribute and story from team mate Brian Preston, starts 2:07:29 in this video.

Mike has terrific sense of fun and a unique sense of humour, often being the centre of a party. He always seemed comfortable in a gathering and was able to make connections with everyone. In the last couple of seasons Mike had been able to come up to the club, it was always a privilege to see him.

To describe Pal as a ‘collector of memorabilia’ would be an understatement of gigantic proportions, often piles of newspapers cuttings of sport were left about until it was time to organise them into their folders, and Mike’s pride in collecting match day programs had friends and acquaintances on the look out everywhere they went. He had a rare collection which has gone to a well appreciated home.

The club passes on our condolences to all the Phillips family, Mikes friends and colleagues. See you again Pal, rest in peace.

Shane Young