Four generations of Phillips cricket at Hallora

The Phillips name has been synonymous with the Hallora Cricket Club for more than 80 years and now, another generation has added their name to the honour board.

Twenty-year-old Aidan Phillips claimed his second senior premiership last season, following in the footsteps of grandfather Jeff, uncle Mark and father Simon. 

It began when the Phillips family came to Hallora in 1918 with Jeff’s father Jack and grandfather Bill both playing for Hallora. 

Jeff would catch a ride on the milk truck in the morning to play juniors on a Saturday for the Dusties, before making his way to Hallora for the afternoon game. 

He used to hang around the boundary hoping one of the senior players didn’t turn up, giving him the opportunity to take the field.

It was clear early on that the club wasn’t just a place to play the game for Jeff, he wanted to give back as soon as he could.

He became secretary when he was just 15-years-old and even after leaving the club to play for Drouin, remained secretary after no-one else put their hand up for the role.

Fast forward a few years and Jeff’s sons Simon and Mark were following in their father’s footsteps, picking up the game at Ellinbank where Jeff was playing at the time due to Hallora not fielding an A Grade side.

That was until 1995 when Hallora fielded their first division one team. Jeff returned to Hallora as captain/coach, but he wasn’t sure if the new squad was ready, until they played a game at Ellinbank.

“I think we played Ellinbank at Ellinbank, they made 310 and we beat them in the last over. You could feel the kids come of age almost,” he said.

Despite playing at Ellinbank, Simon knew a return Hallora was on the horizon when they fielded a top division side. He instantly felt he was home.

Jeff, Simon, Mark and Simon’s son Aidan and daughter Caitlyn have all had the opportunity to play together.

Simon played in two premierships with Mark and played three seasons with Jeff and a season with Aidan. 

Simon and others campaigned hard for a turf wicket Hallora, realising that dream in 2009. 

A bowler at the peak of his career, Simon’s telling moment came in a memorable grand final victory over rivals Western Park in 2006. He took 6/32 to reduce the Warriors to 123, as his team chased the total with three wickets to spare. 

Now Aiden has taken the reins, debuting for Hallora in division one five years ago at just 15 and has solidified himself in the side that claimed the flag this year.

Jeff played in one winning grand final for Hallora, Simon two, his brother Mark three and now Aidan is already up to two.

“There’s been a few losing ones in those too,” the trio happily admit. 

Both Simon and Mark spent time playing in England and in 2018 Aidan also had the opportunity to head to the UK, playing for Ipplepen, just 10 minutes down the road from where Mark and Simon played years before.

This season was a redemption year for Hallora. They climbed the mountain to make the grand final in 2019/20 but were robbed of the opportunity to fight for the flag as COVID-19 took hold.

“I think coming back this year, getting Damo as coach and having Natsai back too, we felt we were not going to be there,” Aidan said.

“We probably bowled the best we did all season in that final, it all mattered a lot to us to get back to the grand final,” he said.

Hallora claimed the flag, further adding to their collection, one that the Phillips family hope will continue to grow.

When asked what the club means to them, they all agree “a hell of a lot.” “Probably the first word that springs to mind is home. I’m extremely proud of the five generations of Phillips who have played.

So many people should be so proud of what they’ve done there, and long may it last,” Jeff said.

“I’m lucky I got to play with dad, premierships with my brother and even a losing grand final with Aidan, and if Caitlyn plays back at Hallora next year, I might see myself there again, it is home,” Simon said.

Jeff still plays veterans cricket, something that has helped him remember why he first fell in the love with the game and now often reminisces on the opportunity he’s had to play with his family. 

“I’m proud to be able to say I’ve played with my father, my two sons, Aidan and a game with granddaughter Caitlyn. Not many people can say that,” Jeff said.

The trio has had several supporters along the way, with Simon and Mark’s mother Julie helping for years at the club alongside Jeff, while Simon’s wife Amy has also contributed lots of time helping the club.

While Jeff and Simon may have taken a step back from official duties, they still enjoy spending time watching Aidan forge his own career. 

The competitive juices still flow between the trio, with Aidan now just a premiership away from going past father Simon and equalling uncle Mark, with Simon explaining what he believes many fathers feel.

“I think every dad hopes that their kids are better, I hope Aidan gets to have a better career than we did and keeps enjoying it, that’s the main thing.

“Cricket has given us friends here and all over the world, it really has been great,” Simon said.