Sam Franklin created something of a record at Saundersfoot Cricket Club as last season he became arguably the youngest, at the age of 22, to lead the first team to promotion to the second division - and completed a smashing double as they also won the Alan Brown Cup Final by beating Llechryd at Whitland.

Now that the cricket season is over, Sam is just as busy playing goalkeeper for the Haverfordwest County Development Squad at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium, where he doubles up by helping Steve Batty with some coaching of the young keepers from the aged eight to 13 sections every Friday evening at the Bridge Meadow alongside Jo Price.

Surprised to be chosen as skipper

Sam's leadership of Saundersfoot CC's first XI came about at the previous season's AGM where he turned up and people of the calibre of Paul Mansbridge and Dickie Parcell complimented him on the way he had encouraged youngsters in the squad and proposed him for the captaincy; everyone else agreed and at the end of the evening he was captain!

"I was surprised, to say the least," admitted Sam, "but I agreed to take it on and just do my best - and I was very lucky that throughout the season I had terrific help from former captain James Caine and Paul Mansbridge, plus support in selection from Chris Hawkes, the seconds' skipper.

"We had a great mix of youth and experience that paid off, with 14 year old Tom Mansbridge as man of the match in the Allan Brown Cup Final - and with a record in the league of just one defeat in 16 matches that saw us take the silverware by 40 points."

Memorable matches, wicket-wise – and a few runs too

Sam certainly led by example as top wicket-taker with 40 scalps that had two consecutive Saturday games as the undoubted highlights, starting with a home match against Lamphey where he claimed five wickets in one over, including four from the first four balls, then a dot ball and another victim to finish off an amazing over!

Not content with that little lot, Sam then played the following week against Neyland Seconds and grabbed an astonishing haul of 8 for 11.

As well as opening the bowling, Sam batted at No 3 and had a top score of 68 and another of 42 not out against Hook - and if selected will be happy to lead the team again in 2017!

A Kilgetty start in football, a few clatterings and a move to the Seaside!

On the football front, Sam started out with Kilgetty under 13s and played right wing in those days alongside Adam Davies, Ross Hirst and Anthony Lewis.
"We certainly wasn't the strongest team in our league and I recall losing once by 20-0, but we enjoyed just playing

"When we were in the under 15s our goalkeeper left and I stupidly volunteered to take his place - and I've taken a few clatterings since as reward for that action, including a match where I received a bang on the ankle but carried on playing.

"By the following morning it had turned almost black and after a visit to Accident and Emergency I was in plaster for a while - and when I returned I decided to join my brother Jack, who plays up front, at Saundersfoot Sports alongside useful players like Johnny Harries and Geoff Marsh."

Sam loves his coaching role

Sam also put something back into the game by coaching the Kilgetty under 10s for the previous four seasons and enjoys his involvement with that aspect of football almost as much as playing.

At the end of last campaign came a call from Steve Batty, the youth coaching organiser with Haverfordwest County, inviting him to join the coaching staff and so now, almost every Friday evening he can be found at the Bridge Meadow coaching the aspiring keepers and enjoying it thoroughly as he uses the experience gained not only in playing between the sticks but also after passing his Goalkeepers' 'C' Licence, and now is working towards his outfield qualification.

Helping coach the aspiring young Swans – and Bluebirds’ stand in keeper

Not content with that contribution, Sam also helps Ceri Phillips with aspiring young goalies from all over the county who attend Wednesday evening sessions as part of the Swansea City Development set up in Haverfordwest.

Sam is also the stand-in custodian for James Gwilt in The Bluebirds' first team and so attends Tuesday evening training with Chris O'Sullivan and Sean Cresser and made his debut in a pre-season friendly as well as travelling to every match in case he is needed.

Family matters – and a record partnership with dad

That Sam should be so involved in sport should come as no surprise because his father Mike played cricket with Sam and Jack (21) at Kilgetty and also played football in Cardiff years before that, whilst mum Alison is involved in 'Footlights' productions - but is a brilliant kit washer and even better chauffeur, admits Sam with a chuckle!

Dad and both sons have played together in the past after Sam came through from junior cricket when they moved into the area and were warmly welcomed by the likes of Roger Stanford, Chris Parker and Chris Hawkes amongst others.

"At 15 I played for the seconds with dad," Sam told us, " and we broke a club opening partnership record at 'The Postage Stamp' in Burton, where we shared a stand of almost 230, with dad scoring 157 and my contribution being a little slower 53!"

A century scored – and another missed out by a single run!

Then in 2015 Sam achieved his first three-figure score with 107 not out for the second XI and looked likely to emulate that in the Firsts but was clean bowled on 99!

"Simon Stanford told me he thought I was close but no-one shouted to tell me how close and I went for one big hit too many and got an inside edge onto the stumps - and when I learned I was only a single short it was a real 'bat chucked in the hedge' job!"

Sam also claimed 5 for 13 in the second innings of a losing Ormond Cup Plate Final but isn't very big on keeping records, preferring just to enjoy playing sport and being part of a team. 

It is typical of someone who at such a young age really does put in more than he takes out - and we wish him every success in continuing that lovely aspect of his involvement as well as taking part on a regular basis!