Outdoor Sports News - with PembrokeshireSport.co.uk

Gareth grabs silverware in local bowls

Gareth Barrett took up bowls at Neyland Bowling Club only seven years ago but has improved so much in the intervening time that he is now the County under 35 champion, plays regularly for his home town team of Milford Haven and regularly competes indoors.

Gareth jokingly says,

“It’s not bad going for a big feller,”

but he is also a useful snooker player and pool player, loves watching football and will always help raise funds for local good causes, even if it means swimming in the sea at Saundersfoot or having his back waxed!

Football fan

Gareth watched Milford United Football team from the time he was young and lived nearby, and also enjoyed supporting Haverfordwest County in the Welsh Premier and Manchester United in the English Premier, as well as Swansea, of course. He’s hoping that the Bluebirds will get back into the top Welsh echelon after relegation last season but hasn’t watched them much of late because he is so busy with his work as steward of the Royal British Legion Club in Milford Haven, and playing bowls, that he hasn’t got so much time.

Bowling start

He took up bowling with the encouragement of a friend called Richard Evans, who was already playing, and was immediately made welcome at Neyland. Within six months he was playing competitively as a lead or second player in a rink (four players), and as he has gained in experience he has been promoted to third or skip, where the tactical decisions are made. He still plays indoors with his pals from Neyland at the Meads Leisure Centre during the winter but moved to play in the summer at Milford Haven because it is within walking distance of home and work so he can nip there three or four times a week when he is playing outdoors for practice or match play.

Gareth started off with borrowed woods but he is now the proud owner of a set of ‘Tiger’ woods which he saw advertised on television and came highly recommended from some experienced colleagues. Good quality woods can cost over £200 but Gareth is now settled with his current size four bowls and is eager to get back outdoors for 2012.

He has been playing indoors for The Meads against other centres and found it very useful experience because he never knows who he will play. Indeed, he has already encountered top Welsh international Steve Rees – and won the local pairs competition with his old chum Richard Evans.

Under 35 success

He was delighted to take part in the under 35 competition three years ago and won a few games but the 2011 season saw him really make progress as he won his first two matches with the aid of a home draw before playing his third one at Tenby, where he also beat Ashley Rees (Whitland) in the final. Gareth admits to being a little nervous in front of a decent crowd but he was soon in command and was thrilled to receive the superb silver trophy after winning 21-6.

As another indication of his improvement he also entered the County singles and reached the last four as a bonus before eventually losing 21-9 to Craig Jones of Haverfordwest, who is a Welsh junior international, again at Tenby. Gareth played for the Pembrokeshire under 35 team in their only representative match against their counterparts from Carmarthenshire and, if pushed, would admit that he would love eventually to play for his county at senior level.

Snooker ‘money man’

Gareth plays snooker for the British Legion in the second division of the Pembrokeshire League and has recently taken over the reins as Hon Treasurer after Al Gordon retired.

            “Al’s shoes are big ones to step into,” admitted Gareth, “but I am lucky that Malcolm King and Howard Webber are there to support me as (Hon Secretary and chairman.”

Gareth’s highest break is 35 and he hopes to improve on that as time goes by – and he also plays pool in local pub ‘The Trafalgar’ as another means of relaxation.

Charity capers

Not content with that little lot, Gareth also loves taking part in events to raise charity, as he did at the British Legion Club when he was ‘volunteered to have his entire back waxed to raise money for ‘Whizzkids’.

He says that everyone at the British Legion was supportive, as were parents Rhoda and Steve, brother David and sisters Sabrina and Corinne. It was very painful but the end product was over £800 for a very worthwhile charity. Then recently he took part in the New Year’s Day swim at Saundersfoot alongside brother David and another friend in Ben Wilcox, and will have another good sum to devote to the Stroke Unit at Withybush Hospital.

And finally . . .

Gareth intends carrying on his learning curve as he plays indoors at the Meads and is already looking forward to returning to the lush greens at Milford Haven Bowling Club for the summer season. At 28 years of age he has another seven years in the under 35s competition and as long as he likes in the mainstream competition. But wherever he plays it will always be with a smile on his face because Gareth Barrett is a real sunbeam and a huge credit to sport in Milford Haven!

PHOTOS:

Gareth Barrett proudly displays the county bowls under 35s trophy.

Gareth playing snooker.

Gareth with friend Ben Wilcox at the charity swimming.