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The Hughes brothers are a trio to watch out for
It is doubtful if there is a trio of brothers in Pembrokeshire who are more sport-orientated than Oliver, Thomas and William Hughes of Neyland because the lads excel at rugby and are also dab hands at football, cricket and athletics.
Their ability almost certainly stems from the fact that dad Peter was a very good rugby player with Haverfordwest and Neyland and the lads have always enjoyed nothing better than kicking or hitting a ball round the family garden and as dad said, “We don’t have to look far for them – they are always playing sport.”
Mum Sarah is also fully committed top seeing the lads enjoy their participation and they undoubtedly hail from a sporting background since their uncle, Andrew Thicker, has just retired from rugby and helps coach Haverfordwest whilst their granddad, John Nicholas, was a former scrum half with Haverfordwest.
Oliver plays the lot
Oliver is now 12 and plays outside half, centre or full back for Haverfordwest (where Richard Devereux and David Cook are coaches) and Pembrokeshire under 13s coached by Neil Machin and Kevin Phillips. They would say that although he is not the biggest in the side he is a cracking player with speed and skill aplenty, a good kicker and with excellent handling capabilities.
He also plays football for the successful Clarbeston Road under 13s football team, slotting in the midfield and cricket for Neyland juniors as an all-rounder. Not content with that little lot, Oliver is also a keen athlete with Pembrokeshire Harriers, where he competes in the sprint races.
Speedster Thomas
Nine-year old Thomas is the real speedster in the family, however, and he has already achieved a cracking time of 11.8 seconds for 75 metre races with Pembrokeshire Harriers. But it is rugby where he is hitting the headlines as a No 10 with Neyland and Pembrokeshire, playing under the watchful eye of Jeff Clout for the county a year above his own age group. Thomas scored an amazing 106 tries last season, including eight in one match for Neyland juniors against their counterparts from Milford Haven – and he has already served notice of intent at the start of the current campaign with a double hat-trick of tries against Pembroke Juniors at Crickmarren. He is also a good place kicker so is definitely one to watch out for in the future.
Thomas also plays cricket where he bats and bowls for Neyland juniors, who are well looked after by Martin Jones.
Eager William
Although the youngest at seven years old, William is already showing his prowess at ball games, and is already interested in golf. He started his involvement in rugby as a five year old and plays tag rugby for Neyland under eights. They do not have positions at this tender stage in their careers but William is a big and strong runner like dad was and it is expected that he will make a very good centre as he gets older. He enjoys his cricket and could turn out to be a useful bowler as he gets older.
Football mad
The male members of the Hughes’ household are all very keen on watching football although there is disagreement over their teams. William and Oliver are big fans of Liverpool whilst Thomas and dad are Manchester United supporters – and mum Sarah sits quietly on the fence. But all three love playing more than watching and in years to come will surely make an impact on their chosen sport – but in the meanwhile it is great to see the Hughes boys having so much fun out of what they do in sport.
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