When we looked for a player at St Davids RFC to choose the best XV from all the clubs he had played against in our county there were plenty of candidates like big second row Dai Bennett, No 8 Gus Cartwright, fiery scrum half Martin Walsh and recent No 8 and coach Ianto Davies but in the end we plumped for Jack Dudley, who seems to have been playing prop or second row for The Saints since the time I got involved in sport in Pembrokeshire.

He readily admitted that it was far more difficult a choice than he initially anticipated – and in some cases might have strayed beyond the ‘last two decades’ guidelines we gave him – but you can’t tell this giant ex-fireman that again because he is such a big softy and we didn’t want to hurt his feelings! 
 

So over to Big Jack:

“It was really hard thinking of all the exceptional players, and I’m sorry if I have missed anyone out, but it is most probably because they hit me so often my memory isn’t what it used to be!”
 

Loose Head Props:

Brian Williams (Narberth) is sadly no longer with us, but he was an immensely strong player, always a nuisance with an exceptional ripping ability in mauls. Then there was Ricki Evans (Cardigan) – Another very awkward person to prop against due to his strength. Others to respect were Derek Coles (Haverfordwest), Colwyn Hart (Tenby), Colin Morshead (Whitland).

Final choice: Brian Williams – I had huge respect for a real character



 

Hookers:

Romeo Colella (Fishguard) was a player who had an exceptional engine, and I would have loved to have  been able to switch it off, I did try a few times but he kept getting back up! He never took a backward step.
Johnny Richards (Tenby) – Another with an exceptional nuisance factor, and a real pain to play against.
 Others to respect were John Griffiths (Haverfordwest), Nigel Gough (Milford/Llangwm), Tony Huddleston (Neyland) and Graham Williams Fishguard.


Final Choice: Romeo Colella, because he wasn’t just a tough nut as hooker but could also play back row or on the wing!





 

Tight Head Props:

Dai Kirk (Whitland) was a very good prop who always gave his opposition prop a good game, and was a very under-rated. Carl Evans (Tenby) was a very solid prop and a strong runner with the ball in hand.

Others to respect were Gethin Evans (Tenby), PJ Thomas and Ginger Davies (Haverfordwest) and Simon Perkins (Narberth).


Final choice: Carl Evans because he was very strong and clever for a front row man!





 

Second Rows:

Clubs seemed to have a good pairing at the same time, like Lennie Scourfield and Ossie Boswell (Pembroke Dock Quins)  and you always knew you had been in a battle with these two when crossing the bridge for home. They were a very hard pairing to cope with, but I think they had an advantage over me with Mrs Scourfield always complimenting my play from the stands (I think she loved me really!)

Andy Rose and Peter Kidney (Tenby) were another well-matched pair who complemented each other well as Andy dominated the middle of the line out with Peter doing the donkey work.

Others to respect were Gog Griffiths and Denzil Davies (Haverfordwest), The Edwards Brothers (Pembroke), Howells Brothers (Whitland), Peter Evans (Cardigan), and Paul Kirk (Whitland).


Final choices: Lenny and Ossie from The Quins!

 

Backrowers:

Keith Fleming (Haverfordwest) – was a hugely respected flanker for his non-stop work rate and nuisance factor – he was a tough cookie. Randal Evans (Haverfordwest) was another with a high work rate, and was very good going forward with ball in hand. (For some reason he always seemed to take exception to me checking if his long locks were real!)

Nigel Merroney (Tenby) was an exceptional all-round flanker with all the skills and Alan Reynolds (Whitland) played for Wales as a back rower with great strength - when taking tackles from him you knew you had been hit.

Others to respect- Adrian Varney (Cardigan), Mike Evans (Tenby), Andrew Thicker (Haverfordwest), Martin Alderman (Pembroke), Richard ‘Stag’ Jones, Roger Price (both Narberth), Mark Keyworth (Aberystwyth) and Paul Rogers (The Quins).


Final choices: Alan Reynolds, Randal Evans and Richard Jones.


 

Now to my real areas of expertise!

 
 

Scrum Half:

Graham Davies (Fishguard) was a real live wire at No9; very strong and quick to snipe around the fringes. Mike Griffiths (Neyland) played at a very high level and was the same mould as Graham, a good reader of the game with a good service.

Others to respect – Eric Phillips (Cardigan/Tenby), Chris Smith (Whitland), John Summons (Haverfordwest), Gelly James (Haverfordwest) and Neil Trueman (Tenby).


Final choice: Graham Davies, a hard man who could play like an extra flanker!




 

Outside Half:

Peter Morgan (Haverfordwest) was a very talented outside half/centre with Wales and the British Lions and a great character with it, so we didn’t come across him too often! Huw Evans (Fishguard) was another very good player. I remember having a chat with him on his Seagulls’ cup debut advising him not to come too close to a ruck, but as he matured in years often reminded me that I was too slow to catch him!
Others to respect – Ben Childs/ Gavin Scotcher (both Tenby), Gary Abraham (Haverfordwest).


Final choice: Huw Evans, who was a great tactician and a very good kicker.


 

Wings:

Andrew Morgan (Haverfordwest) was very quick and a good reader of the game who mainly played for Llanelli and scored lots of tries and made many a try for others.

Mike Holding (Whitland) had lightning space and could race away from anywhere on the field with deceptive ease.

Others to Respect- Nigel Griffiths (Haverfordwest), Colin Phillips (Cardigan/Narberth), Huw Foster (Cardigan).


Final choices: Andrew Morgan and Michael Holding – both class acts!



 

Centres:

The Setaro brothers (Whitland) complemented each other well and Wayne Morgan (Haverfordwest) was a powerhouse runner.

Others to Respect- Keith Leighton (Cardigan/Whitland), Chris Evans (Tenby), Steven Barnett (Haverfordwest), John Harries (Neyland).


Final choices: Domenic and Frank Setaro, who were a great double act!



 

Full Backs:

Gordon Thomas (Haverfordwest) had a deceptive side step; the only person to put me on my backside without contact, turned me inside out with his sidestep before I sat on my a**e looking at him racing away!

Others to respect: Geraint Bowen (Narberth, another Welsh international - who was very solid in attack or defence and had a big boot. Colin Bolderson (Haverfordwest), Phil Sutton (Neyland).

Final choice: Gordon Thomas, who was some player and was also a very good footballer. So had all the skills!