As well as the terrific action on the field in Pembrokeshire’ Cricket’s ‘Blue Riband Event’ there are always the little things off the pitch that help make it such a big day – and this season’s final was a family-orientated day that was a credit to our cricket.





 
Wonderful Seasiders send-off for Adge
 
It was an emotional final in several ways; not least because Saundersfoot Adge John was stepping down because of eyesight problems after so many years as a great sport on playing fields - and his contribution with The Seasiders was recognised before the start as the players provided him with a guard of honour as he walked in the direction of the scorebox. It was nice that his wife Libby and his new guide dog ‘Skip’, were there for part of the day. And we were pleased to chat to him on a number of occasions as he and Malcolm Thomas supplied us with details of scorers etc. So well done Adge - and thanks for your friendship over many years, which we are sure will continue for a long time!
 
 




 
Four Lawrenny old timers with 200 years between them at the club
 
Four of the longest-serving former Lawrenny players were there to cheer their relatively young team now, with Chris Williams, Dai Jones, Owen Williams and his namesake Phil having shared over 200 years of involvement and not played senior cricket anywhere else.
 
Chris is known to all as ‘Worm’ although quite why is lost in the mists of time – and his 48-year-old son Rob bears the same nickname and bowled superbly in the final, with his grandson Noah as 12^th man and sure to continue the family link with such loyalty.
 
Dai is known as ‘Ossie’, again from his schooldays, and was an excellent wicketkeeper/batsman, whose shirt on the day attracted a lot of comments, whilst Owen was dubbed ‘Larter’, after an England fast bowler with a similar quirky action. Phil is still called ‘Goochie’ after his resemblance to former England captain Graham Gooch, although his team-mates say he didn’t manage 333 runs in a season, let along in one innings!    This smashing quartet enjoyed the day – and I bet they enjoyed their evening even more!





 
 
‘Famous Five’ there to support The Seasiders
 
Saundersfoot actually had a quintet of long-term former players at the final, with Paul Mansbridge, second right, having sons Tom and John playing, whilst Roger Stanford (far right) watching son Simon also in the team.
 
Roger was actually a founder member when The Seasiders set out in local cricket all those years ago, with Justin Richards (first right) and Paul both joining years ago. Then there’s ‘Dickie’ Parcell (centre) who is another very long-time servant of the club who is now chairman and has also represented the Welsh Disability team with pride - and finally, there’s Steve ‘Cookie’ Cook, who is still helping out with the seconds and bringing on teenage talent like his son Ollie.
 
They were naturally disappointed by defeat but rightly proud of the fact that their beloved Saundersfoot had reached their first-ever final.
 
 





 
 
Memorable day for the Lewis Clan
 
And talking of families, there’s no doubt that Lawrenny’s Lewis family not only had talented teenage sons Finley (17) and Oscar (15) playing excellent roles but it would have been a triple if only dad Steve had been able to take the regular place he has held for over 30 years - but a nasty hand injury sustained in his work prevented that.
 
He was joined by wife Laura and daughter Pippa in watching from the boundary and refused to go into the team photographs because it was all about the players and their big day.
 
Steve was clearly moved by the victory after he had already played in all five finals for Lawrenny, but all the players made it very clear afterwards that he had been in their thoughts and it was a quiet, but deserved tribute, to all that he has given to the club in the past!
 
 




 
 
 
Important figures in attendance
 
Two very welcome guests at the match play very important roles at their clubs as presidents of Lawrenny and host club Cresselly. David Lort-Phillips is maintaining a long-held family tradition of being the club’s figurehead whilst Hugh Harrison-Allen’s family have occupied the same position at host club Cresselly, just a couple of miles down the road.
 
Hugh presented the coveted Bowl named in honour of his family and provided the superb tea for all the players and officials - and both clearly enjoyed the match and mixed with old friends. It was a pleasure to see them there and enjoy a chat with both gentlemen and genuine characters!
 
 




 
 
The Midgleys had a great day out
 
As well as great support from both clubs there were also others who are involved in cricket at other clubs and simply want to enjoy themselves as a family unit. One such foursome was the Midgley family, who are so heavily involved in cricket at Hundleton and county juniors and ladies’ cricket.
 
Dad Stuart plays as captain of the Hundleton Seconds’ team which won Division Six recently, with son Elliott as an all-rounder who had scored half centuries and taken wickets in senior cricket despite being in his mid-teens as well as playing for the county and region in his age group.
 
Daughter Ava is already playing first-team cricket and took 5 for 8 in a recent game to help them win Division Four - and was also part of the Cresselly Ladies’ team which did well in the top echelon of their cricket - and is a regular with Pembrokeshire Ladies.
 
And finally, there’s mum Kelly who used to play the ladies’ game with Neyland and Pembroke Dock but now is the regular scorer for Hundleton Seconds and as boss of the family spends much of her time organising the rest of the Midgley Clan’s sporting diaries.
 
 
 



 
More great cricket supporters on the boundary
 
Watching together on the boundary were Joyce Thomas, a member of the Cole family which provides the annual Man of the Match award, alongside Sheila and John Hayman, who are so involved at Burton via son Richard and now grandsons Luke and Toby.
 
It is always a pleasure to bump into such lovely people and they typified the ‘family feeling’ that marked the final as one to remember.
 
 



 
 
Dave’s departing ‘Up North’ again
 
Also departing the local cricket scene for a different reason was umpire David Bonner, who worked well in partnership with Rob Bellerby as both were involved in their second Bowl Final.
 
Dave arrived here a number of years ago from Lancashire and quickly settled in the middle after many years as a professional player and then umpire in the Ribblesdale League.
 
Dave and his wife are returning north for family reasons and this quiet gentleman of cricket will be missed in the middle next campaign.






 
 
George does good work with the Cresselly old-stagers!
 
As usual it was great to chat to the dedicated ground staff who do such terrific work in preparing the pitch for The Bowl final – and although one regular was missed, they had certainly found a good replacement!
 
As usual, club chairman and head groundsman Richard ‘Dick’ Arthur was nominally in charge of Denis Chiffi and Glyn Cole and Phil ‘Spam’ James was the one missing – but in his place was 12-year-old George Richards and he was certainly part of the quartet and considerably dropped their average age.
 
George is the son of Chris ‘Splash’ Richards, who is secretary of Cresselly Cricket Social Club and the family live just down the road, so it is easy for young George to trot up the lane to help out. He clearly loves being involved, which is brilliant, and certainly played his part on the day!
 
 



 
 
And finally . . .
 
And finally, it was great to see such family crowds on the bank, with Saundersfoot followers bedecked in bright red tee shirts and Lawrenny supporters in their usual black and amber tops.
They made plenty of noise but with nothing remotely out of order – and deserve congratulations for helping make it a great day, whether their team won or lost!