A powerful pack is the firm basis for The Mariners' Select XV
When we decided to ask someone from Milford Haven Rugby Club to select a representative team from The Observatory from over the past two decades we decided on Alan McClelland, who played or coached for the Mariners for the two decades, apart from a short spell elsewhere.
‘Mackie’ is still involved at The Observatory Field and readily admitted that it was an impossible task because of the worry of offending people who deserve a mention. So although he has selected his top 15 he has nominated several others in most positions. Mackie is very much a Mariner but and he has been heavily involved in one way or another for most of that time so it makes for interesting reading
Scott, ‘Smithy’ and Larry get Mackie’s front row call-up
“I’ll start with the front row and my immediate choice is Scott Walters, a 
former club captain who led the side to promotion in 1998. A genuinely strong man he switched from No 8 to prop to help the overall strength of the pack as a great club man - and it suited his play.
“Others who deserve a mention in this position are Mike Cockburn, who is very small for a prop but wouldn’t be messed about by opposing props, and Jamie Parr, who was big and strong – and both did a great job as captain!
“Craig Smith is a modern-day hooker who gets around the field, almost as an extra flanker, and edged out Gareth ‘Nuts’ Phillips and Luke Ryan for his overall contribution to play. ‘Nuts’ was a typical ‘roll your sleeves up and get stuck in’ No 2 whilst Luke gets around the field more, is a useful ball carrier and scorer of tries.
“Larry Spillane completes my front row, a former club captain and someone who was a very good flanker until he was converted to an even better prop by Brian Davies. He was always totally involved in play and was a good reader of the game – and loved his involvement in defence.
“Adam Rees was another very good prop, very big and strong in the scrum, whilst Jamie ‘Pimms’ Picton did a similarly good job but had the bonus of being a very good on-field motivator.
Powerhouse locks ensure quality line-out ball
“In the second row I would have Gareth Fawcett and Aidan Laxton paired to ensure a stream of lineout ball, with Gareth as the complete rugby player and a real athlete. He had strength, stamina, pace and balance – and physicality too. He was a pleasure to watch and could have gone to the very top – whilst Aidan was a superb ball winner in the modern mould. He went on to play for Whitland, Carmarthen Quins and Llanelli and I think is in Australia now!
“Carl Allen was an excellent second row; and as an ex-club captain never shirked a tackle and loved being involved, whilst Rhys Thompson was a big lad with a physical presence. Roy Hadley was a powerful player who relished the physical challenges and Matthew Doncaster was a great ball winner who was another club skipper.
Hadley, Warlow and Wonnacott – what a back row that would be!
“My back row would be as good as most clubs could produce in our county, with Dean Hadley and Steve Warlow as flankers and Mark Wonnacott a real star at No 8.
Hadley, who also coached The Mariners, was a powerful blind-side and would also made a great rugby league player with his quick hands, strength and physicality. When he went to Tenby they played him at prop and he showed up there too as a top player at a higher level.
“Steve Warlow was a genuine character with his big moustache, big grin and ‘who me ref?’ when he was pinged for blocking opposition ball. He was big and strong but deceptively fast, was hard as nails and loved tackling. He was some player!
“Mark Wonnacott would not only be an automatic choice at No 8 but would be my captain too after his inspirational leadership over a number of years. He played for 20 years and never gave less than 100% as he became one of the most respected players in the county.
He was the complete No 8 and over the last decade has become known as ‘Mr Milford Rugby’!
Other quality back rowers include Sam Dolling, who has been a tremendous player this campaign and came so close to being a first choice but my selections were so experienced. Then there was John Rogers, who was a tough as teak player who loved being totally involved up front; Ryan Mansell, playing really well this season and scoring plenty of tries; and Dai Sweeney, a much underrated player who has been a brilliant club servant.
Johnny and Jim – interesting half backs
Mackie’s choice of half backs might prove interesting for some folks, bearing in mind the range of players who occupied the Nos 9 and 10 shirts, but there is no doubt that Johnny Morgan and Jim Farr totally merit their inclusion.
“Johnny Morgan was at scrum half when I was outside him and I came to appreciate his dogged, terrier-like play which always kept opposing back rows on their toes. He loved tackling big forwards and played like an extra flanker in defence – but also had an eye for the smallest of gaps to set his backs away. If he’d had a longer pass he would have been outstanding!
“Jim Farr was an all-round footballer at outside half with a good rugby brain, balance and an eye for the half chance. He was a good kicker out of his hands or to amass points and could also score exciting tries.
“Going close to selection at scrum half were Barry Griffiths, who very much followed his dad Dai into the role as a nippy No 9 who was deceptively strong – at fly half Paul Evans was always consistent and had the ability to switch to scrum half when needed.”
*It is interesting that Mackie resisted the temptation to include his son Dan at No 9 but there is no doubt others would have included him in the replacements because he is a lively performer with a good rugby brain – and sure to be a better player than McClelland senior!
Yoda and Jamie – try scoring wingers
“Craig Thomas would be one of my wingers because ‘Yoda’ is very good at scoring tight corner tries as he uses his sidestep, pace and drive to good effect. He is naturally elusive and as an added bonus in training after defeat because he lifts everyone else with inimitable humour!
“Jamie Lewis is the current club captain and is another excellent finisher, knowing how to reach the line from distance or from close range – and is a terrific tackler in defence, putting his body on the line and sometimes paying for it.
“Others who could well have been chosen are current all-round three-quarter Jimmy Thomas and Lee Riley, who has been an outstanding club servant and one of the top try scorers ever with his genuine pace – and still does a great job wide out or at full back.
So many centres to consider – and a match-changing fullback
“Dan Jenkins has had a really good season in the centre and has deceptive pace for someone who is as strong as an ox – and scored more than his fair share of tries. He is a powerful tackler and helped raise the tempo of our midfield play.
“Ioan Dolling is another who was club captain and was very strong in midfield, equally at home making try-saving tackles or setting them up or scoring at the other end. Long serving as a real club man, Ioan stayed with us when he might have played at a higher level.
“We have had so many players in the centre who could also have been chosen, like pocket battleship Dean Matthews, Matthew Reynolds (also a useful No 15), Grant Rogers (another club captain) and Dan Birch, who is the current captain and doing a very good job after joining us from Haverfordwest – and allies solid strength to high skill levels as a bonus.
“At full back I would pick Ian Rusinek, who could also play outside half or centre with his sheer pace off the mark, and a sidestep that enabled him to score tries from any part of the field. He was a hell of an all-round player who carried his weight well – and scored or created so many vital tries.
Nathan ‘Yoppers’ Young was a solid defender with a terrific left foot that accumulated points and Andrew Williams was a good all-round player as someone who could play any sport well.
Clever coaches and an obvious choice as team manager!
“We have had some good coaches over the two decades but my choice would be the current trio of Nathan Williams, Steve Martin and Andrew Williams. Nathan, who everyone calls ‘Gully’, started out at Milford School as a Welsh Schools international and played top class rugby at Northampton and Newport after spells with Narberth and Carmarthen Quins. He commands natural respect and helped us gain promotion last season – and is one of the nicest men you could meet!
“His assistant is Steve Martin, who has also played at a higher level with Narberth, and was a very talented player who is now passing on his skills and experience as a hub officer at Milford School.
“Andrew Williams completes the trio after playing for so long – and a valued member of the coaching staff.
*On the subject of a suitable team manager Mackie was modestly disinclined to nominate himself so we did it for him because he has been involved with a number of players from their youth days and has played with most of the others. He is still actively involved on match days and so we selected him – but recognise that current incumbent Bill Marchant is growing in stature as time goes on!