Cricket Scorers Feature:

 
 
Talk to the likes of Nick Daley, Peter Kingdom, Scott Griffiths and Co at Pembroke Dock Cricket Club and they will all be very quick to sing the praises of their scorer, Nicola Murray, who has been looking after their scorebook for about a decade now – and a real picture it looks, too!
 
It was Mr Daley who inadvertently set Nicola on the path to becoming a scorer because she was watching a game where the club had no official scorer and he was begrudgingly taking his turn to record the scores after he was out.

“I just happened to glance across at his work and couldn’t help but notice all the crossings out he had made – and when I laughed he quickly invited me to try and do better.”
 
“I couldn’t resist the challenge, learning as I went on with advice from and others – and I can’t have done too bad a job because I’ve been doing it ever since and enjoy the company of a very nice group of players who are as good as gold to me.”
 

Young son Noah is also cricket mad!

 
Nicola also used to score for the juniors but gave that up when son Noah, now almost four years old, came along, but she knows that she will one day restart there because Noah is cricket mad.

“I take him up to Imble Lane to practise his batting as often as the weather allows and he loves being there on match days because the players take turns to bowl to him – and I think he feels he is part of the squad!
 

Talented teenage athlete – and now testing herself with new challenges

 
When Nicola was a youngster she was a talented athlete and ran the 200 and 800 metres for the Pembrokeshire Harriers until she suffered knee problems.

“But that is better now and in the last year or so I have run the half marathons at Tenby, Llanelli (twice) and Cardiff – and next year I aim to complete the Long Course Weekend at Tenby.
 
“I know it will be tough, especially with the swimming because although I can now swim 2.4 miles indoors I have yet to pluck up the courage to try it in open water!”
 

And finally . . .

 
Ask Nicola about cricketing highlights and she would be sure to pick out the two occasions that The Dock has played in the Alan Brown Cup Final at Whitland.

“It’s a great day out for clubs in the lower divisions and we were delighted to beat Crymych the first time and then Lamphey the season before last, when we won again against Lamphey and completed a double since we also got promoted to division two.”
 
So what of the future? Nicola qualified as a teacher in 2016 and now works for one and a half days a week at Pennar Junior School, as well as doing supply work and she enjoys her role – but says that she will continue scoring because it is a good form of relaxation and there is great camaraderie.
 
Nicola Murray loves being involved at Pembroke Dock Cricket Club and also helps the local press with scores and details about performances – so we think she does a terrific job, and long may she continue in her role!