Unsung Heroes

‘Scriv’ loves his rugby and cricket

Richard Scriven is one of those sportsmen who is totally involved in sport throughout the year because when he packs away his rugby kit in May he immediately takes out his cricket whites, pads and bat to play cricket.
‘Scriv’, as he is known to all in sport, has played as a prop for Llangwm RFC over the last twenty five years, other than two very short breaks, and as well as a spell as coach took on the role of team manager for last season, with Colin Picton and Scott Gregory as coaches.
His cricket has previously taken him to Burton and Llangwm, and he is now in his second stint at Haverfordwest, where he has enjoyed playing for five years and has been second team skipper for the past two seasons, as well as running the club’s successful website!
Not content with that little lot, Richard also had one season of playing football at Johnston AFC, where he played in goal for the second team and helped them win the fourth division. His son Garin also played for the juniors at Glebelands and Richard coached them to three cup finals in as many years!

Rare claim to fame

On the rugby front, Richard is one of only two players in the Llangwm team who played in the Wasps’ centenary celebrations and in their 125th anniversary last season. “I don’t expect to be playing for the 150th anniversary, however,” says Richard, with a chuckle!
He was in the youth side for the former and also turned out last season – with Phil Stoddart as the other who could make the same proud boast. During his twenty five years he had very short stays with Fishguard and Milford Haven (both just three weeks!) but decided he was most happy at Pill Parks.

County recognition

Richard also played in the county under 21s alongside Nicky Greggain (Neyland), Wayne Higgon (Whitland), Romeo Colella and Alan Phillips (both Fishguard). He was a member of the Pembrokeshire Junior Union team that won the Welsh Districts Cup Final as they beat a very strong Swansea and District side by 35-32. The squad mainly comprised players from Whitland and Narberth, alongside Tim Phillips and Mark Busch (Haverfordwest) and John Tennick (Neyland).

Characters at Pill Parks

Ask ‘Scriv’ about Llangwm and he would say that it is a club packed with characters, like Brian James and Roger Lewis, plus former players of the calibre of Ian Thomas (Gwangie), Chris Thomas (Blackthorn), John Nutting, Nigel Gough, Dave Duly, Nigel Hearne and Henry Thomas. He was part of the Llangwm side which gained promotion on one occasion with Tim Pounder as captain and Paul Griffiths as coach.
Of the current squad, Ian Griffiths, Hamish Nicholas, Nick Phillips and the Brock boys are all useful players – and he is already looking forward to the next campaign.

Early start at Burton – and cup success

On the cricket front, he started out with Burton after being taken there by his school pal Robert Griffiths and was quickly taken in hand by Rob’s dad Brian for the under 13 team. He soon progressed into senior cricket and stayed there until he was twenty, gaining a reputation as a big hitter who could keep wicket.
Then he had his first spell with Haverfordwest Cricket Club, under the excellent captaincy of the late Steve James, and played in the Harrison-Allen Bowl Final, when they beat Llangwm. He has also played in four Alec Colley Cup Finals with Burton, one of them as a seventeen year old captain, and three with Haverfordwest, the third in a defeat against Cresselly in the season just finished, when he was skipper.

Big hitting – and lost balls galore

Ask ‘Scriv’ about his top scores and it brings another chuckle:
“It was for Burton seconds, with the late Dai Griffiths as captain, and when I joined Johnny Griffiths at the crease we were 70 for 9 chasing a huge score. We managed to keep things going and I hit a six off the last ball of the match to reach 92 – and we tied the game!”
He also scored 89 for Burton against Marloes and cost the opposition a few bob because he hit seven balls into the field of corn beyond the ground – and they weren’t allowed to go in and look for them!

Family of wicket-keepers – and great support

He has also scored his share of runs for Haverfordwest and he readily admits that he enjoys the challenge of captaincy – and creates a little bit of history since his brother Huw skippered the first team and is regarded as the best wicket keeper in the county. That they should be sporty is no surprise because dad Billy used to keep wicket for Johnston and mum Raydene is a regular watcher of her three boys, with younger brother William also playing as a wicket keeper/batsman!
Richard would say his wife Emma has always encouraged him to be involved and as well as being a wicket keeper/batsman (of course!), son Garin (18) also plays football for Hook – whilst daughter Georgia (13) plays hockey and netball, as well as being heavily involved in dance competitions.

And finally . . .

On the cricket front at Haverfordwest, Richard plays alongside characters like Steve and Andrew Phillips, Adam Raymond and Nigel Delaney, with youngsters of the calibre of Dan Cole, Ashley James and Nitin Mathias breaking through.
He clearly enjoys being involved there and one only has to chat to Richard Scriven for a short while to see his genuine enthusiasm for both cricket and rugby. PembrokeshireSport.co.uk did just that and enjoyed it – and long may ‘Big Scriv’ continue to be involved at Llangwm RFC and Haverfordwest CC.