Cricket News . . . from PembrokeshireSport.co.uk

James is just the man as club captain at Imble Lane

Although Pembroke Dock lost their division two status in the Nicholas Insurance Pembroke County Cricket League last season there is an air of optimism at Imble lane because the second string gained promotion from Division Six – and no-one was more delighted than club captain James Olyott because he played well for the seconds and was heavily involved in all that Pembroke Dock did.

Involvement as club captain

The role of club captain is not one adopted by the majority of clubs but it works at the Dock because the first and second XI skippers manage matters on the field of play whilst James takes responsibility for most of the administrative and day to day stuff, like making sure that players know where they are playing, when training is on and ensuring that players are registered properly and generally kept informed.

“I suppose it might be regarded as being a general dogsbody,” said James, “but I see it as an important role and one that I really enjoy because it allows me to put something back into a game I love.”

            “There is a great crowd at the Dock, with some real characters like Maurice Leyland and Steve Alford, and I’m also involved with selection as I check availability and liaise with the team captains before we let everyone know where they are playing. We also have great scorers in Helen Griffiths and Nicola Lloyd and the social side of Pembroke Dock Cricket Club is great.”

Musical interests – and a late

start at Imble Lane

Now a healthy 34 years of age, James has only been playing for less than a decade because he was away at college and then with his work as a music teacher in Bridgend. Then he started at Sir Thomas Picton School in Haverfordwest, where he is now Head of Performing Arts and deals with all aspects of music and drama, including their most recent school productions like ‘Beauty and the Beats’ and ‘We will Rock You’. He came back into the county to live and now plays trumpet in a Soul Band - and was immediately roped in by old footballing pals Mal Morris and Nick Daley to help out at Imble Lane because the cricket club was re-starting a second team and needed more players.

Within 12 months he was heavily involved and roping in other players with his infectious enthusiasm – and has been increasingly active ever since. James readily admits that relegation last season was a big blow after promotion the previous season and the winning of the Allan Brown Cup Final at Whitland, where he was 12th man on the day. Last season also saw another major plus for the club when its hard work in developing a very good wicket at Imble Lane was recognised by their holding the semi-final of the Harrison-Allen Bowl when Haverfordwest beat Saundersfoot.

Encouraging others

On a personal note, James best bowling figures so far are a 3 for 22 haul and he is still seeking his first half century after achieving a top score of 46. He has also kept wicket when the seconds have been short and he sees one of his major roles as helping develop young players at the club.

            “We have some very good young players like Jake Davies and Scott Griffiths in the first team,” James told us, “and players of the calibre of Jake Griffiths (wicketkeeper/batsman), Niall Brunton (bowler) and Craig Butland (batsman) that we have high hopes for as John Davies, Steve Alford and Mal Morris put their experience to good effect in helping them. We also have a club reunion of former and current players in the pipeline for early march and that should be another great event for all concerned.

Football player – and now referee

Outside of his cricket, James was also a very keen footballer at London Road from the age of 14 as he played centre half for Pembroke Borough until he sustained a dodgy knee and was unable to carry on playing. So, like cricket, he was eager to put something back into the game off the field and decided to take up refereeing, which he did at the start of the 2010/11 season. He was made welcome by the referees after training by Pedr McMullen and then passing his exams – and attends meetings of the referees society on a regular basis.

            “I was recently assessed by a former ref from ‘up the line’,” said James, “and I was pleased it went well. I enjoy being the man in the middle and most players and supporters are fine, although there are one or two who are not so good.”

And finally . . .

James added that he loves being involved and one only has to chat to him about football, or especially cricket, to see his enthusiasm. He really is credit to Pembroke Dock Cricket Club and we at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk can vouch for the fact that the club who play at Imble Lane is in good hands with a player (and administrator) of the calibre of club captain James Olyott so involved!

PHOTOS:

James Olyott.  

James as part of Pembroke Dock CC indoor cricket team.  

James as part of the Pembroke Dock team at the Alan Brown Cup Final.  

James blowing his own trumpet!