'Barney' goes for powerhouse players - and some finesse too!

When we invited Stephen Barnett to select a team he would love to coach at Haverfordwest RFC he jumped at the chance but with typical ‘Barney’ style a couple of his choices might have edged in despite being outside the 2000-2020 limits!
 

He readily admitted afterwards it was much harder than he thought but he was happy with his overall selection – so here we go:





 

A very strong front row and some brains there too!

“I would have to start at loose head prop with the late Derek Coles, who pound for pound was the strongest player I ever met – who actually out-scrummaged Welsh international Stuart Evans when we played Neath in the Welsh Cup.

“At hooker it would have to be Andrew Sargeant, who never shirked a challenge, loved the physicality of the front row but also had a good eye and useful distribution. He was a really intelligent player but I think I might have been able to help him keep a little calmer sometimes! Another hooker I had great respect for was John Griffiths - who was very talented and a great character!

“At tight-head it would be a close choice between PJ Thomas and his nephew Chris, both excellent men in the scrummaging stakes. PJ was an out and out hard man who never yielded an inch and Chris was the same but was a very good ball handler as bonus.

“Other props I really rated were Graham Evans, who I thought could still teach son Rob a few tricks, and Phil Stoddart, who was something of a late starter but did really well at Narberth – I would have loved to have kept with The Blues!


 

 
. . . Big boys in the boiler room of the pack!

 “My second rows would be two giants of the game in terms of physique and contribution to their team. Denzil ‘Tarw’ Davies and Gwynfor Howells were revered by opponents (or was it fear?) for their raw power and good skills for big men. ‘Tarw’ is the Welsh name for a bull and was never better used because he really was a powerhouse on the pitch – but a genuine character off it!

 “Gwynfor was another who only knew how to play with total commitment and we were devastated at his sudden passing away. He was one of the most natural hard men I have ever been lucky to meet but quiet gentleman until he was riled – and then look out!
 

Amazing quality in a superb back row

 “My No 8 would have to be the late Steve James, who was a natural all-round sportsman who also enjoyed his cricket and football. My second rows might not be the best lineout men but my back row would help there – with Steve standing almost 6 feet 4 inches and with long arms. He was a highly skilled player around the base of the scrum – and his huge boots helped him land vital long-range penalties!

 “Alongside him at open side flanker would be one of the most gifted rugby players I have come across in Keith Fleming and who undoubtedly have been grabbed by top class clubs today. He was a highly intelligent player who could also slot in anywhere in the pack and at centre. – and was what I would call a real ‘player’s player.’
 

 “Completing what would be an amazing back row is Richard Thomas, who I would unhesitatingly pick as my captain because he could motivate a tailor’s dummy if it was in the Blues’ cause. He was a naturally fit player because of his work and if I could have a go at home about handling skills he would be my perfect flanker!

 

 “Others who could fit in would be Dai Perkins, another really hard man who joined us from Narberth for a spell, whilst Peter Lloyd was underrated but was always first to the break-down. Richard ‘Trigger’ Brazell was another asset to the club – and he was so fit he once jogged to Whitland before playing the game there!”

 Moving onto his choice of back division ‘Barney’ admitted that this was just as difficult to choose, if not more so, because of the in-depth quality that was available.


 

 
Half backs galore
 

 “Andy Grey was a top-class scrum half who also played for Pontypool and was the ideal link between forwards and backs, with a natural ability to keep opposing back rows on their toes. He was a thinking player and always seemed to have time on the ball, another sign of a top performer.

“Anthony Morgan also oozed class when I was coming onto the scene and would also come into consideration, as would Andrew Loughlin, a Welsh cap as a youngster who I thought was on a par with Neyland’s Michael Griffiths.

 “At outside half I would select Gary Abrahams, a mercurial No 10 who had terrific handling skills, a great sidestep and the ability to kick off either foot. He was an excellent tactician who could take control and swing a game in seconds from anywhere on the field.

“Someone else I also rated was Danny Field, who was very big and strong, relishing the physical aspects and with a powerful boot – and a bit underrated too!

‘Mogs’ and ‘Griff’ - two of the very best wide out – and surprise choices in the centre

 “On the wing I could do no better than choose Andrew Morgan and Nigel Griffiths, who could score tries galore. Andrew started out as scrum half in the youth but had a real nose for any half chance and showed his quality with his performances as he used his pace at Llanelli to claim some spectacular scores and he was also a talented sevens player.

Nigel was very tall for a winger but had the ability to glide across the ground – and his knack of scoring interception tries was phenomenal. His ability to kick ahead and win touch-downs was also first class and he had hauls of five and six tries for The Blues!

“My choices at centre might surprise some people because I would pair Neil Morgan with Nigel Hancock, who both had a real talent in midfield. Neil later went off to Narberth but he had good hands, his timing of passes was immaculate and he was very quick over that vital 20 yards after he had created a gap. ‘Honky’ was good enough to win a Welsh Cap in his teens – but I would have liked to have helped him focus on the nitty gritty aspects of rugby.

“Another consideration would be Graham Badham, who was very fast and strong. I would have liked the chance to help him develop his undoubted ability.

Gordon looks good at the back –
and some top coaches too
 

 “At full back I would have to select my old pal Gordon Thomas, one of the best all-round sportsmen I have ever met. He was vice-captain of the Welsh Youth team and had a couple of seasons at Llanelli. In terms of natural ability ‘Gordie’ had the lot: strong, balanced, tactical awareness, sidestep, defence, kicking and a physical presence. But I still think I might have made him a little less laid back!

“Kevin Walsh was close behind him as an unpredictable No 15 but I loved playing with him because he could cause chaos – and he usually made the right decisions, eventually!

 “I think I should nominate myself as coach since I picked this lot but there has been any number of smashing coaches, especially Peter Griffiths and Mike Llewellin tandem, with Barry Jackson as a terrific forwards’ coach.

 As team manager I would love a mixture of John Summons, who was a very good scrum half, and Shay Buckley, our import from ‘The Emerald Isle’!

 “I know I’ve missed out loads that deserve a mention but since I’m already 500 words over target I can only say that I could have picked two more teams that would play with pride for The Blues, and did so over many years!