page revision date: 14th August 2008

Talented Matthew bats and bowls for Fishguard

One of the more talented young cricketers to emerge from Pembrokeshire over recent years has been Matthew Morgan, who plays as an all-rounder in cricket for Fishguard and Goodwick, has captained the county at his age group for the past three seasons and has been involved in the Welsh set-up all that time.

He represented Wales at under 11 against Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Leicestershire, playing mainly as a fast bowler, but in the past three seasons he has worked really hard at his batting and scored his maiden century when he finished up on 104 not out against Carmarthenshire.

Matthew also plays for the Fishguard First XI in Division Two of the Pembrokeshire League and has shared in good stands with dad Nigel as they had a partnership of 40 in a win over Llechryd and an undefeated stand of 70-plus in beating a strong Saundersfoot team. He started with Fishguard 2nds when he was 12 years of age, the minimum allowed, and scored a 60 at Llangwm and a few 40s in his first campaign to mark his arrival. He and dad also batted twice together and they put on 50 to start but then failed to score any runs on their second time together because Nigel was out for a duck!

Started out on the beach

Matthew started out in cricket as most youngsters do, playing on the beach with dad, mum Gwen and sister Laura, all of whom have been great supporters in the regular treks he has to make to Neath and Cardiff during the Winter. He joined Fishguard and was playing for the under 10s when he was very small, making it into the county team coached by Steve Jones and Chris Campbell, with Russell Jones a great help at club level.
That was when his batting took off and he has been the top scorer for Pembrokeshire at each age level since then, with his unbeaten ‘ton’ accompanied by 96 not out against West Glamorgan and 87 against the South Wales Cricket League, where he was man of the match as he also grabbed a bowling analysis of 5 for 30.

Useful all-rounder

Outside his love of cricket it is evident that Matthew is a useful all-round sportsman because he played football for Goodwick last season and scored 15 goals as a left winger in a team coached by Tracey Morgan and Andrew Truss, and is just about to start the new season at under 15 level. He also plays rugby as a winger for his school team and recently was one of the winners of the school’s golf tournament at Newport Links Golf Club.

Back on the cricket scene his best bowling figure is 5 for 8 when they played Mid Wales and as well as these matches he has also played at Festivals in Swansea, Wrexham and Cardiff where he enjoyed success. He has enjoyed his cricket this season and is already looking forward to next campaign – and if he can maintain his current hard work and genuine enthusiasm for the game then there is no doubt that we will hear a great deal more of Matthew Morgan in the years to come!