Tributes have been paid to a 'gentle and generous' cricketing stalwart who has died following a short illness

Gary Phillips, who scored for Ammanford Cricket Club for over thirty years, passed away on Saturday, aged 61.

Known as 'G' he represented Ammanford in his younger days as a left arm spinner.

Club chairman and former captain Jeff Roach said: "Gary decided his future was in serving the club as scorer and he did that superbly and selflessly for over thirty years.

"He was a gentle, generous man whose ruling passion was cricket in general and Ammanford cricket in particular. The club cannot express its gratitude for his lifetime of service and we will all miss him greatly."

Ammanford captain Alun Evans acknowledged a huge debt to Gary, whose knowledge of player stats informed the skipper’s match strategy as they travelled together to away matches.

He said: "Even more important than his knowledge of cricket was his friendship - the boys idolised him.

"When we won a match, all the boys would wait for G to emerge from the score box and raise his fist in delight at the victory. That was the signal for celebrations to begin."

West Indian Linton Lewis who broke all batting records for Ammanford throughout the 1980s has also paid tribute.

He said: "Gary will always be remembered for his contribution not only as a scorer but as a supporter whose heart has always been directly linked to the interest of the club.