Cricket News . . . from PembrokeshireSport.co.uk

Paul’s a power-house batsman at Whitland

Paul Davies is well known in local cricketing circles as a very talented left-handed batsman with Whitland Cricket Club, where he follows in the family tradition set by dad Hilliard before Davies Snr took up umpiring and quickly earned a reputation as a very good official.

Paul is a proven run scorer who can also bowl right-handed and we were recently delighted to catch up with one of the best cricketers in the county at the indoor cricket at the Meads Leisure Centre in Milford Haven, to have a chat about his involvement in the summer sport.

We can only say that it was a real pleasure!

 

How did you start out in cricket?

We lived next door to James and Charles Owen and we played cricket on the front lawn most days – but had to watch collecting the balls from big hits over the nearby busy road! I used to travel with dad to every game and at the age of seven I played my first game as we were one short, down in Hook. I wrapped up in three jumpers on a horribly cold, windy day and fielded third man to third man for the whole 40 overs and then padded up from the first over even though I was batting number 11, and didn’t even have to bat in the end. How’s that for enthusiasm? In 1986 I made my proper senior debut at 12 against Pembroke 2nds and in that match scored 12 not out and helped Whitland hold out for a draw. My last game for the 2nds was at Maenclochog in 1991 (when I was 17yrs old) and with Brian Cook as captain I top scored with 98. That innings lead to a divisional award at the Pembroke County Dinner. From then on I have been in the first XI squad with Paul Webb as skipper for most of the time, but I really enjoyed those days with some real characters in the Seconds.

 

Who have been the main

influences on your game?

Big influences for me when I was coming through were obviously Dad, Dai John, Trefor Evans, Paul Webb, Brian Cook and Colin John; and I enjoyed batting with Barry Wood and Australian all-rounder Jordan Buckley, nicknamed Bizzo, who was with us for many seasons before the overseas rule came into play. I learned a great deal from them and I have had the pleasure of playing against some excellent overseas players like Henderson Springer, Mohammed Ali and Dave Lovell.  

  

I also played a number of seasons for the county under 19's against the likes of Glamorgan U19's with teammates like Andrew Miller, Huw Evans, George Thomas, Andrew Williams, Karl Rhead and Ian Capon, all very good players to learn something from.  

 

Have you played your

cricket anywhere else?

I captained Whitland Youth with Dr Allen in charge before Colin John came onto the scene and revolutionised the coaching set-up at our club, and then I played a season for Carmarthen Wanderers Youth with Glyn Jones, as their rule regarding youth players was a year older; handy because they used to pick me up and take me home after every game, which was a 35 mile round trip.

With Carmarthen Wanderers I used to open the batting every game and took part in a Cricket Festival in Aberystwyth, where we played five games and came second. I also had the opportunity to be coached in Neath with Glamorgan coaches. 

 

Do you enjoy other sports?

I like watching most sports and alongside cricket during my younger days I played snooker, pool and tennis in Whitland, and had two seasons of football for Llanboidy. I still play now, but only with some workmates at ‘Friday Ads’ on the Astroturf at Thornton Hall in Milford Haven. I also played rugby in school and I play squash twice a week at the Meads Leisure Centre. But cricket was always my first love and I can’t wait for the new season to start in May – but in the meanwhile I’ll play for Whitland in the Indoor League, which we have won on a couple of occasions with our regular team including Mark and Dai Lee, Matthew Davies and some talented younger players. It’s a different technique from the outdoor game but it gets us together and we have a bit of fun with the other regular sides like Neyland and Haverfordwest – and I get to bowl every match as a bit of a bonus!

 

Has your family had an influence on you?

Absolutely, because my dad Hilliard always played cricket and now umpires, whilst my mum Caroline has always been supportive of us both. My wife Tara is brilliant and brings Lucas (7) and Ruby (3) along so we have good family Saturdays in the summer since Whitland is very much a family-orientated club. I always went with dad as a nipper and the story is happening all over again in the Davies’ household because my seven year old son Lucas, who loves cricket and football, comes with me everywhere. I can vividly recall the time when I opened the batting for the first time with Dad on a Barry Island tour and we both scored 50 runs – it was great! I missed three seasons because of work but other than that I have only ever missed three matches on Saturdays – two when Tara and I got married and went on honeymoon and one when Ruby was born!

 

What have been the highlights for you so far?

One was undoubtedly being invited by Dr Roger Burns (Burton) to play for the MCC against Aberystwyth University alongside Andrew Miller (Neyland) and James Salter (St Ishmaels). The first time I didn’t bat because the game was eventually rained off but the following season I managed a 50, so that was nice.

I also received the Lesley Ellis batting award, for the most promising youth batsman, in 1992 after playing for Pembrokeshire U19's – and during my time at Whitland I have received the ‘most runs’ award in the 1st Team in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008. I managed it again in 2011 with 611 runs, which just beat my previous best so I was delighted with that.

When you asked about hundreds I couldn’t remember but I took a peek at the family scrap book and found I had 101 not out against a strong Penygroes side in the Welsh Cup, and surprised myself by taking 4 for 19, including three wickets in one over!

I also had 111 against Lawrenny in 2004, 109 not out against Hook in 2006, and 106 against Hook (away) in the same season. I managed124 against Herbrandston in 2011 then another 74 not out against them in the same season so I enjoyed my matches against them – but I still have a way to go before I catch up with Dad!

 

** PembrokeshireSport.co.uk can only say that Paul Davies is well on the way to catching up with his father Hilliard and both are great examples to aspiring cricketers with their skills, dedication and commitment to their club – and it is a certainty that both are hugely respected in Pembrokeshire cricketing circles! **

 

PHOTOS:

Paul Davies.

Paul as part of the Whitland indoor team.

Paul diving to take a superb catch (Pic - Mark Vincent).

Paul on the way to a century against Lawrenny.

Paul square cutting.