Today on PembrokeshireSport.co.uk we are happy to provide you with the heartfelt thoughts of Jonathan Willington regarding the unacceptable behaviour shown by a small group of young cricketers at the Harrison-Allen Bowl Final which came as a result of too much drink and very little understanding of how their loutish actions impinged on the enjoyment of what turned out to be a final where both teams gave total commitment and Narberth were worthy winners against Neyland.
 
Jonathan was officiating at his first Bowl Final as reward for his earning high respect in the middle after many years as a talented all-rounder for  Stackpole Cricket Club before moving across the Cleddau Bridge to Hook and becoming an outstanding coach there, with one of his major achievements being to form the Pembrokeshire Vikings’ team which brought a county youth team back into action and was so successful in bringing young players from across the county,  it was eventually taken over by the executive committee of the Pembroke County Cricket Club.
 
Then his umpiring saw him becoming one of the best umpires in the county, with his judgement of decisions, knowledge of the rules and ability to communicate with players seeing him earn this chance to be involved in the premier event in local cricket – only for it to be spoilt, as he says so movingly, by young players unable to hold their drink and becoming the noisy side show that detracted from the main event!
 


by Jonathan Willington

 
‘You cannot expect to drop that many catches and win.’

‘That was never handball.’

‘Their number 4 had a superb game.’

Classic post-match analysis entered into in every pub and club across the country following any sporting contest. This tradition as much as anything signifies the passion that sport generates amongst us. Sadly, all too often in recent times it has been off-field events at all levels of sport that have dominated post-match chatter. This has unequivocally been the case following the delayed conclusion to the 2025 Harrison-Allen Bowl competition that took place at Cresselly Cricket Club on Sunday 24^th May.
 

A shadow cast over Pembrokeshire Cricket

Talk in and around Narberth will surely continue to focus on a thoroughly deserved victory over Neyland. No-one can deny everyone involved with Narberth the right to do just that. Elsewhere though, within the cricketing and wider communities of Pembrokeshire and across social media platforms it has been a different story. The off-field events during the final have, and continue to cast a dark shadow, over Pembrokeshire cricket.

The involvement of ‘the crowd’ helps to make sport what it is. Who has not witnessed lively banter between rival supporters, between supporters and players? It is a part of sport and a part that we revel in. But what happens when that banter becomes something else entirely, when it crosses the line and becomes toxic? What happens is that offence can be caused, discrimination can occur, people suffer emotionally, enjoyment evaporates and in some cases violence ensues.

The reality is that all too often, the perpetrators of this ‘toxic banter’ consider themselves able to act with impunity. Having seen others do similar, makes it okay. Being blind drunk is in itself a reasonable excuse. Providing they have had a good day out who cares?
 

Not playing but proud to be selected as umpire

The Harrison-Allen Bowl Final is the annual showpiece event of Pembrokeshire cricket, the one game every player wants to be a part of, the one trophy every captain wants to lift. In Pembrokeshire cricketing terms, the Harrison-Allen final is a players’ Everest. What of the players that reached their Everest on 24^th May? Yes, the final was nine-months late in coming, which brought its own disappointments. But a final it was.

The final. Beautiful weather, great pitch. The players were there to play, to compete and to win.

Sport is always first and foremost about the players. For my part, I was pleased to be appointed to umpire in my first Harrison-Allen final alongside the vastly experienced Trefor Evans. I wasn’t there to win but I was there to do my very best and to enjoy the occasion.




 

Difficult to focus on the game as the venom grew

 
At tea the game was finely poised, both teams in the hunt. Following the break, whilst the game continued to heat up so did the off-field antics. These antics centred on a group of young people, all local cricketers, situated on the veranda of the clubhouse and clearly having consumed a good deal of alcohol.

Whilst striving to maintain my focus on every delivery, every stroke, every run, every piece of fielding, that is striving to get it right, it was becoming increasingly difficult not to be distracted by the constant verbal barrage coming from the veranda. During the third innings the fielders took the brunt of the barrage, the batters during the fourth innings. It was impossible to block out the increasing volume and use of foul language directed at players, despite the continued efforts of the Announcer calling for calm. The players to their credit coped admirably.

It was clear that the veranda dwellers were intent on making the day about themselves and only themselves. They displayed a blatant disregard for anyone and everyone present; players, officials and other spectators. From an umpiring perspective, it reached a point where their conduct was clearly disruptive.






 

The breaking point arrives

The breaking point came with around eight overs remaining in the game. One of the batters at the crease was visibly shaken and rightly angry, given he felt his family members had been verbally abused. But, as an umpire, you can only realistically control what happens within the boundary. I felt powerless despite the anger I felt at the plight of that player.

Shortly afterwards, with the verbal barrage continuing from the veranda, my colleague Trefor paused the game to speak with fellow members of the Pembroke County Cricket Club Executive Committee. It was at this point I simply felt enough was enough, approaching the veranda and politely asking those present to please be quiet and allow the game to conclude. I will say two things. I appreciate it was not my place as umpire to intervene but I did so in the interests of the game and of the players. It was certainly not my first instinct to ask politely but I had little option.
 

How did Pembrokeshire’s showpiece game come to this?

I can only offer a few words in explanation. Disrespect. Arrogance. Disregard.

I am reassured that the Executive Committee will move to implement measures to prevent a reoccurrence of such events at future finals. The Executive may field criticism from some quarters but let us make no mistake here. There is only one group of people responsible and they know who they are.

This article is not meant to be about me. I hope if you are reading this that you will see this as me simply providing a bird’s eye view of the experience of officiating in a final that was ruined by a selfish minority. Furthermore, I hope this helps to paint a picture of how the experience of the players was marred by mindless behaviour. The biggest stage, but a sour experience for many.

Finally, a note for anyone searching the litter bins between Cresselly and Haverfordwest. If you find a medal and programme from the final you are welcome to them. I threw them away in utter disgust on my way home, not wishing to hold onto anything that would remind me of an utterly unenjoyable day.