The Boulevard youngster won the twice-taken sprint race at Somerset Cricket Club yesterday and picked up an early Christmas present, a $500 travel voucher from sponsors, Knights Lights Electrical and Lambert and Lambert Rentals.

A lukewarm response to the challenge saw only six competitors in the race.

College student Khari Sharieff, just back on the Island, was a convincing winner of the first race but that had to be rerun because of a false start.

And as Sharrieff seemed to miss his stride in mid-race, Phillips strode through to win in a close finish. Others competing were Brandon Harris, Eddie Dowling, Galvin Butterfield and Preston Mallory.

But most of the other supposedly fastest men in football didn't participate, including Kevin Jennings, who was playing in the main match, Oscar Riley, Daniel Reece and Carlos Smith.