There has been a lot of debate about whether cup cricket should or should not have been played this year but looking at matches it seems that games have been played very sensibly in terms of requirements of social distancing and other matters – and have been thoroughly enjoyed by the players and umpires.

One of the nice things about the matches is the fact that a number of current players, who have qualified as umpires, and hopefully might decide that umpiring is almost as good as playing and think about donning the white coat.

There were also light hearted moments as supporters had to wrestle with the fact they were not able to watch games from within the confines of the ground – and a lovely moment for a smashing dad proudly playing alongside his 13 year old son and watching him hit the winning runs . . .




 

Steve delighted to be back at Tish - and Thomas finished in style with a boundary!
 

In his younger days Steve Williams was a very talented cricketing all-rounder at St Ishmaels before work took him away and he played for Carmarthen Wanderers and Bronwydd.

But towards the end of last season he played a handful of games to help out Tish seconds’ skipper Robbie Thomas and he is back this campaign – and is delighted to be joined by his 13 year old son Thomas.                                                                                                              
They both played in Tish’s Colley Cup success at home to Llechryd and Thomas marked his debut by hitting a boundary to win the match.

Dad was understandably very proud and Thomas becomes the third generation of the family to serve the club after his grandparents Pat and Mel, who still do great work there, and uncle Andrew, who has retired at the end of last season after so many years as one of the best players in the county.
So well done young Thomas – and long may you continue to enjoy your cricket!


 

Morgan and Charlo watch Neyland – from behind bars!

Two very popular supporters of Neyland Cricket are Morgan Hughes and ‘Charlo’, whose grandson Tom Pritchard is a very useful bowler for the club. Both are now pensioners and although they were disappointed not to be able to take their normal vantage point in the ground there were no complaints from this still-lively duo – and in fact it was nice to see their humour as they told me it certainly was different to be locked-out, rather than locked in!

But they were both able to watch Neyland beat Herbrandston as they stood on the pavement outside and peered into the distance through the perimeter railings! 

So well done you fully paid-up members of ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ – and keep being Pembrokeshire Sport lovers!







 

Dai and Raffle gave long-range support to Llangwm

Dai Davies has been a player, chairman, groundsman and supporter of Llangwm Cricket Club for over 60 years and no-one has missed cricket more than he has – but he has spent a lot of time with five miles walks around the village with his gorgeous dog Raffle and looks super-fit.

Dai was desperate to see Llangwm play on The Racecourse so he was another who watched from long distance as he walked Raffle on the public footpath around the perimeter of this lovely parkland and showed there is still nowt wrong with his eyesight as he examined play from such a distance.

“I was disappointed we lost but it was better that having to stay at home,” he told me and it was, as usual, a pleasure to chat afterwards to one of the genuinely nice characters of local cricket!

 

Nigel takes a walk down Memory Lane

Nigel Richards is Haverfordwest born and bred but has been away for many years with his work – but when he came home for a two-week holiday he thought he would like to continue the umpiring he has done ‘up the line’.

So he contacted the local umpires’ society and spent last Saturday with chairman Dave Brandon in officiating a 1pm Bowl match at Haverfordwest and then a Colley Cup match at St Ishmaels at 4.30pm – and enjoyed them both.

Nigel has umpired for the Combined Services in the past and is still umpiring in the Home Counties Premier League so has been involved at a high level – but it was nice to hear that he loved being involved back home and has plans to continue when he eventually comes home for good.

So welcome back Nigel – it was nice to watch you in action!




 

Chris and Steve are now umpires as well as referees

Chris Stapleton and Steve Williams have played cricket for Hundleton over many years but are perhaps better-known in footballing circles as two very highly-respected football referees who have officiated at the Senior Cup Final and important games in the Welsh League.

But over the weekend they were working as a very efficient partnership on the cricket pitch as they umpired together at Haverfordwest and Neyland, after taking their umpiring exams and passing with flying colours.
It was great to see them using their experience of being charge of football as they worked quietly together, weren’t afraid to consult and generally had a good rapport with the players which ensured there was a flow to play.

So well done ‘Stapes’ and ‘Wills’ – it was said by a friend of yours that you are now better umpires than players so hang on to those white coats boys!



 

 ‘Griff’ steps in – as usual . . .

Brian Griffiths is a real club stalwart with Burton Cricket Club, where he has played for over seven decades and still keeps their Oatfield Park Ground in immaculate condition.

He would still play if required despite the fact he is approaching the 80 mark and when they played their Harrison-Allen first-round home match against Pembroke Dock there was only Allan Hansen as an umpire.
So guess who stepped in? You’ve got it – Brian Griffiths!

‘Griff’ stood at square leg for the full length of the match and the visitors would have been delighted with that fact because he is held in huge regard across cricket in the county for his integrity.

So well done old timer – and keep up the marvellous work you do for cricket!

 

Is Joe the youngest umpire involved in this year’s competition?

Joe Kiff is widely known in cricket as a very good attacking batsman with Llangwm and has also played for The Wasps and Milford Haven in rugby.

He has also started out as a promising referee in the oval-ball game and when Neyland played Llechryd in the Ormond Youth Cup he joined Steve Blowes, the Hon Secretary of the Pembroke County Cricket Club, as a qualified umpire.

I am reliably informed that Joe looked the part, not only in his dress sense but with his decisions, and it is nice to see a young player putting something back into the game with some other work!

**Joe Kiff pic kindly provided by Jon T Sports**

 

. . . And so does Richard!

Richard Howell is a great servant of Narberth Cricket Club and again he showed that fact last Saturday.

He was chosen to play for the second team in the Colley Cup match where they lost to Haverfordwest but since the first team were unavoidably with a scorer he stepped in earlier on to record the scores for the first XI as they easily beat Stackpole at the Lewis Lloyd Ground.

So well done Rich – and keep up the good work with your beloved club!






 

Terrific tribute to Derek

There was a moving moment at the Athletic Ground as both Neyland teams, their opponents, umpires and scorers stood at the wicket as a mark of respect for the sad passing of Derek Charles, who was best-known as a wonderful rugby player for the town’s and Pembrokeshire’s rugby teams.

But Derek was also a keen cricketer and played for Neyland in a Harrison-Allen Final – and was held in huge esteem throughout the town for being the gentleman he was.

So well done for both Neyland teams, plus Herbrandston 1sts and Cresselly 2nds, because it was a fitting send-off for a lovely man.






 

Spare a Thought for ‘Pickles!

Cricket is a great game but it can be unkind – just ask Paul Nicholas, who has served Herbrandston so brilliantly over the years. Known to all as ‘Pickles’, he was really looking forward to bowling in his first game of the season against Neyland but injury struck him when he went in as a tail-ender and badly pulled his hamstring going for a quick single.

To add insult to injury he was run out last man as he couldn’t even walk properly and was unable to bowl or field.

So it looks as if he might not be able to play in any friendlies for the rest of this shortened season – but we hope he will be back playing next year for a club he loves!




 

Jack tries hard in his second sport

Jack Wilson is training hard at the moment as a very talented young footballer with Haverfordwest County in preparation for a challenging season in the Welsh Premier League.

Jack also turns out for Herbie as an all-rounder but he only managed a single before lofting a catch but he did manage to grab one of the three Neyland wickets that went down.

So at least he played a part – and, unlike ’Pickles’ he could at least walk the next day!

 

Matthew makes it a family hat-trick

When Matthew Kiff captained Llangwm in the Bowl match at Haverfordwest he completed a family hat-trick because like dad Simon and brother Joseph (featured elsewhere) they have all been captain of Llangwm cricket.

They also completed a Llangwm double because they have all played rugby for their village side!







 

‘Titch’ back after playing in Cornwall

It’s been an unusual season for Whitland skipper Matthew ‘Titch’ Davies because in terms of competitive matches he can say that he played as many games in Cornwall as he did at Hendy Gwyn.

Let me explain.

‘Titch’ was down visiting girlfriend Lizzie in the South of England on the weekend that the lockdown came and so he was confined to barracks there for some time – but luckily had his lap-top with him and so was able to work from there.

He noticed that nearby cricket club Helston, who play in the first division of the Cornwall County League, were holding training sessions so he phoned up and was invited to join them – and he must have impressed because he was included in their team for their opening match of the campaign.

So how did he get on?

“I bowled a couple of overs late on but didn’t take any wickets – and I didn’t bat – but I did field well,” he answered with a cheeky grin!

Then the travel all clear came and ‘Titch’ was back in harness for his team’s testing opening Bowl match against Carew and managed 13 runs and took 3 for 20 but Whitland bowed out of the competition at the first hurdle.

Will he play friendlies for the rest of the season? Or will he pop back down to Lizzie and play for Helston again?