PHOTOS:
Eirian Edwards and Mark Smith
Eirian Edwards
Dafydd Evans receives cup from Eirian Edwards

 

 
Eirian Edwards could certainly lay claim to be more committed than most in Pembrokeshire Rugby’s cause because he played for Narberth, Whitland and Crymych until he was 42, took up refereeing and now, a young-looking 60, he is still blowing his whistle!       
 

Long service rewarded

 
During his 20 years as the man in the middle he has been an active member of the Pembrokeshire Association of Rugby Referees and was appointments secretary for a number of years, became vice-chairman and then chairman for four years – and is now its president in recognition of his service.
 
It is a similar story with regard to the Junior Union in Pembrokeshire because Eirian has served on its committee for many years and has been vice-chairman, chairman and past chairman. He is currently its president, with his final year coming in the 2015/16 season, again as reward for his efforts as he enjoys working hard alongside Hon Sec Keith Bryant, Hon Treasurer Trefor Evans and chairman Richard Merriman.
 

Lucky to have a good mentor

 

It was Keith Bryant who helped Eirian’s refereeing career get off to a good start after Mr Edwards had decided to call a halt to his playing days because the post-match aches and pains were beginning to catch up with him after playing matches – and it was Keith who acted as his mentor when he took charge of his debut youth match between Narberth and Neyland.
 
“It was the year that Princess Diana died,” recalled Eirian, “and came about because I saw an advert in the local paper asking for new referees. “So I joined Keith Davies in contacting the then-secretary Alvin Walters and before we knew it we were going to the next referees’ meeting in Narberth.
 

“We were made very welcome and it wasn’t long afterwards that I was in charge of that youth match.
 
“I think I more or less enjoyed it,” said Eirian with a chuckle, “but it was a real eye-opener for me with regard to getting into the right position to make decisions.
 
“Luckily, Keith turned up to give support and good advice. He didn’t make me feel like an idiot and was encouraging; with some good words of advice that still hold me in good stead today.”
 

Started out as a prop before switching to the back row

 
Eirian had started out in rugby when he was a youngster at Ysgol y Preseli and played prop in a team that also included Gordon Eynon, now the District H representative on the Welsh Rugby Union and doing a good job.
 
From there it was on to Narberth Youth who were looked after by Bill Phillips and included quality players like Roger Price, Robert and Richard Lewis, Bobby Simons and Glyn Davies as they won the Youth Cup by beating their counterparts from Neyland.
 
“I had a few games as flanker for Narberth first team but played mainly for the second XV – and I also had one season at Whitland but soon returned to the Lewis Lloyd Ground.
“Then Crymych started up in 1985 and I joined them to give a helping hand alongside genuine characters like Glyndwr Richards, Brian ‘Beaky’ Davies, Keith and Wyn Phillips. I captained the seconds for a few seasons and that is where I stayed until I knew it was time to call a halt.
“That’s when I took up refereeing and my only regret is that I didn’t start getting involved with the whistle earlier than I did.”
 

Regular reffing

 
In the intervening years Eirian has mainly refereed matches in Pembrokeshire but was chosen as referee, with Tony Pratt and Rob Lane as assistant referees, at the Welsh Plate Final in Dunvant between Cardiff Youth and their counterparts from Aberaman.
 
He also acted as assistant referee, along with Adrian Slade, when Tony officiated at the Millennium Stadium in the Welsh Youth Cup Final between Cardiff and Aberavon.
“It was great to be involved at the home of Welsh Rugby,” said Eirian, “with a noisy crowd and lots of action.”
 
“If I had a disappointment it was the fact that I was thought  too old, at 42, to be considered for promotion to matches in the national leagues, because I know I was fitter than most and could have made the transition.”
His comment brings a snort of contempt from Keith Bryant about the officialdom that was in the WRU Referees set-up at the time. “He was good enough,” says Keith, with typical under-statement!
 

Great fun

 
There has, however, been some fun during matches and Eirian recalls one match between Carmarthen Quins and Merthyr in the Welsh Youth Cup where the visiting supporters knew Eirian and his assistants, Marc James and David Byrne, were from Pembrokeshire and there were no barriers around the pitch to keep a boisterous bunch from getting quite close to the action.
 
At half time they discussed their action plan to deal with close-range comments and Eirian had a brainwave.
“Just tell them we are all monks from Caldey Island,” he chuckled!
 

Family matters

 
That Eirian should be so involved in rugby should come as no surprise because he has always had total support from his wife Hilary, who was a good hockey player in her younger days.
So was their daughter Catrin until she took up rugby and has played 53 times for Wales, including being captain on a number of occasions – and one of the undoubted highlights for Eirian (and Hilary!) was going out to France to watch Catrin play at prop in the Ladies World Cup..
 
Son Jonathan is a police officer in Cardiff and played full back for the University of Glamorgan and Llantrisant, as well as amateur rugby league for Wales and Great Britain.
He is also encouraged by his employers, GD Harries and Sons, as an added bonus.
 

Presenting prizes – and watching top rugby

 
As well as officiating at matches, Eirian also loves watching the game and was in attendance for the Junior Union Final between Crymych and Whitland Seconds at Narberth, where he presented the trophy and mementoes in his role as Junior Union president – and last season repeated the job when his club Crymych accounted for Whitland.
 
Ask Eirian about future plans and his answer is immediate.
“I’ll carry on reffing for as long as I can and try to help develop young referees starting out, as Keith Bryant did with me all those years ago.
 
We at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk wish him success in the former aim and enjoyment in the latter as he cheers on Wales – and long may Eirian Edwards continue to be so involved in local rugby because he is an example of all that is good in the game!