Greerton Cricket Club player Clint Phelps hit 500 games in total with his club on the weekend after a massive accomplishment from playing for them for 28 seasons.

Playing with Greerton since 1995, Clint says he kept showing up for cricket games without realising he was approaching such a milestone.

'I've been doing it for fun. When you're playing for fun, you forget these milestones are creeping up, and you're accomplishing something that not everyone gets to do.”

For the cricket community however, this accomplishment was not so unnoticed. 'It was very humbling. I received messages saying ‘congratulations' from people I have played with and against, all over the Tauranga cricket community,” says Clint.

He was also met with praise from the players of his 500th game. 'Playing at Pemberton Park for my 500th game was a very special feeling. The opposition let me walk off first and gave me a round of applause.

'Afterwards, the team got together for a barbecue and we had a few beers together. Teams around Tauranga called in and shared stories and laughs, it was very humbling for them to have thought of me.”

For Clint, the love of the sport comes from his team and cricket community. No matter what position Clint has held during his 28 seasons, he found they have always been there.

Playing cricket since aged eight, Clint relishes in helping newer players. 'I love giving guidance to younger players coming through and helping them play to the best level they can.”

Clint says one highlight of his time playing cricket was when he was the B-grade captain.

'We hadn't won a game in three years and were getting terrible beatings. One day we played against Te Puke and everything fell into place, and we won our first game in three years.

'It was especially cool for the young guys who were involved. The season after we even made the semifinals in the B-grade competition.”

A friend of Clint informed him that his 500 games would equal to nearly a year-and-a-half of continuous playing. And still, Clint says he can't wait to play more games.

'I would encourage anyone who also wants to enjoy the sport to come down to Greerton Cricket Club and have some fun.”

More information on Greerton Cricket Club is at: https://www.facebook.com/GreertonCricketClub