'Big Scriv' looks back on some cracking characters
When we thought about asking someone from Llangwm to look back over 20 years of players in the club as the second in the series our obvious choice was Richard Scriven, not only because ‘Big Scriv’ played for many years for The Wasps but as an industrious member of the club he has helped keep it going through some sticky patches.
His only gaps were short ones where he tried his luck elsewhere but soon realised how green the grass was at Pill Parks – and we have long since forgiven him those momentary lapses of judgement and were are delighted with his thoughts, which are sure to raise opinions from current players and old timers alike!
He readily admitted how difficult the selection was and he very modestly refused to include himself in the choices, although he did go for younger brother William; insistent that it was based on hard fact, rather than brotherly love!
Difficult front row choice
“William would play at prop because over the years he has proved to not only be a good scrummager but is also very mobile and with the best hands of any prop I’ve played with – and my choice of Nigel Gough as hooker might surprise some but he was so good technically as well as being mobile and very committed during his time with us after switching from Milford.
“Johnny James was another terrific hooker who played alongside me for 20 odd years and it took me ages to decide between them – and John Nutting completes the front row as a very durable prop who came here from England and survived the jibes we put before him!
Keith Locke and Dan Hughes were other contenders, with a real commitment to the club, who were afraid of no-one on the pitch, no matter what their size!”
‘Stodds’ and ‘Canteen’ join second row forces alongside a talented back row
“Phil Stoddart was a great favourite with us as second row before he made a name for himself at Narberth as a very popular prop and I would play him alongside Nick ‘Canteen’ Phillips, one of our most reliable performers over a 30-year period, starting in youth. Andrew Evans was another who wouldn’t let my team down and Richard ‘Digger’ Davies was a cracking ball winner at lineouts, whilst Hamish Nichols would add some bulk.
“In the back row, Ian Griffiths is still playing well and could have joined other clubs in his heyday but chose to remain at Pill Parks as a very good handler of the ball who is also a good tackler and has also played at scrum half and centre.
“Andrew Milne joined us from Neyland and was a very good scrum half but switched to flanker with us and always gave 100% commitment as well as being able to read the game well and get quickly to the break down – and at No 8 Lewis Wood was a superb operator with his pace, tackling and good use of the ball, and another who made a name for himself at Narberth. Others who could easily slot in are Ian ‘Gwangie’ Thomas, Tim Pounder and Wayne Davies to name just a few of others I had the honour to play alongside.
Class acts at half back and wing . . .
“At scrum half I would opt for Henry Thomas, who was very unassuming but a tough competitor who never knew when he was beaten, with Nigel Hearne as his half back partner. Nigel, now living in the USA always looked a class act and had so much time on the ball, with the ability to swing matches with his sidestep or excellent place kicking. Andrew ‘Ackie’ Harries was an underrated No 10 who kicked well but lacked Hearne’s pace.
“Llangwm have also had some good wingers in our time and none more so than Jonathan Whitticombe, who had the ability to beat opponents with ease from his deceptive changes of pace and ability to be in the right place at the right time.
“Partnering him for me would be Johnny Kiff, who I would unhesitatingly pick as captain: he was a seemingly quiet man but was a great motivator with the ability to lift others and also score tries with his pace a key factor.
. . . And a strong centre pairing and full back too!
“My centre pairing would be Kevin Thomas and Darren Brick, who would make a good partnership down the middle. Kevin had been a PTI in the army and was super fit; who was a strong runner and good distributor. Darren always seemed to have time and was deceptively quick for a tall feller, with the ability to break tackles and put others into space, closely followed by Martin Cunningham.
“I’d have Simon Kiff at full back because he was so reliable and could turn defence into attack with his mazy runs made at pace, and would surely have gone further, if the Welsh leagues had been ten years sooner.
“Others who came into contention were Lee Davies, (abrasive) Phil Rees (talented), Matthew Hughes (lightening quick) and Simon Brick, who kicked us to promotion back in the day
Throw in a couple of others, plus a couple of today’s regulars and although others will have other ideas I’m confident my squad would represent Llangwm RFC well.
Real characters amongst the coaching staff
“On the coaching front I would nominate Ian Ace as an analytical head coach who did so much in developing the youth set-up when I was starting up, assisted by ‘action man’ Peter Roberts, Gerald Charles, Jeremy Brock, Paul and John Griffiths, the latter who was a real character in his days as a hooker with Haverfordwest and Pembrokeshire, looking after the forwards.
“I would love the chance to be team manager of that little lot – and I’d have James ‘Kiwi’ Griffiths helping me out because he does a great job for us now, plus another great club man in Michael John!