The Williams’ Clan is top notch at Lawrenny

 
One of the best-known cricketers of his era is Chris Williams, who played as a top all-rounder at Lawrenny for well over 40 years and now, at 75 years young he is still heavily involved in the village club because he regularly scores for the second team.

 
Chris enjoys the role because it keeps him close to the game but it is a double pleasure for him because his three grandsons Noah (18), Taylor (15) and Koby (12) are currently in the team!!

 
It continues the family’s involvement which goes back to Chris’s father Victor, who helped with the building of the clubhouse/changing rooms and watched games with Chris’s mum Sarah - and now the boys’ grandmother Rhona also goes to watch the boys’ games, and played cricket when she was younger and still helps out off the field whenever needed at Lawrenny Cricket Club.

 

Chris set out as a nipper too

 
Chris first set out when the club only had one team and no clubhouse, alongside other keen teenagers in Dai ‘Ossie’ Jones, Owen ‘Larter’ Williams, Tony ‘Skerks’ Scourfield, Phil ‘Goochie’ Williams, Steve ‘Pascoe’ Rees and Dai ‘Baldy’ Arthur, who become the back-bone of the club for so many years - with Chris also carrying a nickname as everyone at the club still calls him ‘Worm’!

 
That leads us to their children Robert and Alison, with Rob following his father’s footsteps as a top all-rounder who has resisted offers-aplenty to play elsewhere and remained loyal to Lawrenny. Rob is now at the veteran’s stage but still taking lots of wickets this season - and his son Noah has sometimes joined his father in the first team and is certainly one to watch at the club for many years to come.

 

No shortage of skills coming through

 

Alison used to play ladies’ cricket and even now turns out for the men’s second team if they are short - and it is natural that her boys are carrying on the family tradition. Taylor opens the bowling for the seconds and is becoming a useful batsman - and Koby has all the skills and despite being just a nipper of 12 he has bowled a few overs for the seniors, as well as doing very well in junior cricket.
 

It all adds up to a cricketing dynasty which can only help maintain the proud traditions of the club for many more years.  They are joined by the Lewis boys Finley and Oscar Lewis, who are the sons of another great club man in Steve Lewis- and the conveyor belt of young talent is further maintained by the introduction of new blood like Wil Nicholas, Will Allan and Alfie Buckle.

 
This writer was honoured to document the club’s history in their centenary book and was able to delve into a rich history that has seen Lawrenny become one of the most respected in the county, having maintained their first-division status and even won the Harrison-Allen Bowl as proof of how well they have progressed - with the Williams’ Clan playing a key role (but Chris, Rhona, Rob and Alison will play that tribute down as soon as they see it!)