Former Bovey, Chudleigh and Moretonhampstead cricketer Phil Gaywood remembered

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

ALL-round sportsman Phil Gaywood, one of six brothers from a cricket-mad family, has died aged 71.

Phil Gaywood was a middle-order batsman and off-spin bowler for Moretonhampstead, Chudleigh and Bovey Tracey when home on leave from the Army and his later Civvy Street job in Saudi Arabia.

Cricket was just one of his sporting passions. He played football for Moretonhampstead, squash at club level and in latter years golf at Bovey Tracey GC.

Nick Gaywood, Phil’s nephew and a former Devon cricketer, said his uncle was passionate about his sport.

“Phil was the youngest of the six and must have picked up cricket from his older brothers, who went to good cricket schools,” said Nick.

“The brothers all played locally, apart from Alan. He played in a Gaywood XI that appeared at Drewsteignton once in a game that was featured on the BBC.

“Phil was a very sporty bloke – we used to have very good squash matches – who was a high-level orienteerer while in the Army.”

Phil Gaywood’s is the third of the Gaywood brothers to die. Siblings Alan and Mike, another Moretonhampstead cricketer and footballer, pre-deceased him. The surviving brothers are Richard, Brian and Ken.

Phil Gaywood is survived by wife Joan..