After 22 years at the helm of the Pembrokeshire Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers, its hon secretary Les Hastings has recently stepped down from the post but is continuing to put his wealth of experience as an umpire to good use as he has already officiated at some matches in the new season.

His contribution to umpiring was recognised by members of PACUS at their annual general meeting when current chairman Dave Brandon presented him with a golf voucher (which purchased a nice new pair of golf shoes), and some flowers and a piece of jewelry for Les's wife Ann, who has always given him total support in his plethora of work, which included allocating umpires to every match in the top two divisions each year.

Five Bowl Finals – and loads of others too!

Les has already umpired no fewer than five Harrison-Allen Finals during his time in the middle, and can lay claim to the fact that he has also umpired every other cricketing final in the county on more than one occasion - and officiated further up the line as well.

Les's first final was in the Alan Brown Cup Final alongside Arthur Chapman, a competition organised by the local umpires for teams from Division Three and lower - and a very successful venture which started out with Hook as the traditional venue and has moved for a number of years to Whitland, where it has been superbly sponsored by Paul Webb and his family of Tavernspite Nurseries.

Les would each year organise the draw for the competition, liaise with teams and be an ever-present throughout the big day, where the teams would follow the identical format to the Harrison-Allen Bowl. One of his last duties as secretary was to organise this campaign's draw and on final's day will be there with Ann - but able to walk around the boundary, sit back and relax a little more!

Started by accident

"I started out as hon. secretary in 1994, almost by accident," Les admitted, "after agreeing to be assistant secretary to Malcolm Mills but having to step into the main role within 12 months.

"Over the years I have been lucky to have worked with good chairmen like the late Cyril Venables, the late John Preece, John Williams, Bill Carne, Richard Merriman, Ray Kane, Allan Hansen and now Dave Brandon so that has been a real help as there have been lots of changes to umpiring over the years that we have had to negotiate our way through. I have also been lucky that Trefor Evans has been hon. treasurer for 17 years and we have worked really well together!

""My colleagues have always teased me about the fact that I am not computer literate but we have managed somehow and I know Arthur Brady, who has taken over my role, will save a few bob in stamps through the use of e-mail!"

Loved his playing days too

Before he donned the white coat after being encouraged by a great friend in the late Dennis Jones, Les played cricket until he was well into his 50s, starting out with the old Mine Depot team in Milford Haven, where he was working, and when they finished he played for the Murex factory team at the concrete and matting wicket between what are now the rugby and football pitches at The Observatory Field in Hakin.

He helped them gain promotion to the top echelon and also played rugby and hockey when he joined the army but by the time he was demobbed Murex had also ceased to be and he joined his brother-in-law Mel Thomas with The Thomarians on an ash and matting wicket on the Old Racecourse in Haverfordwest.

Interesting other venues – and a couple of injuries!

"When my work took me to Scotland I played cricket for the Vale of Leven in the second division of the Glasgow League and on my return found The Thomarians, a lovely bunch of lads, were no more, and I was persuaded by Bill James and Robert Phelps to join Hook, where I stayed and really enjoyed the game, other than a short stint with Bradford on Avon when I worked in Bath.

"I enjoyed the cricket there on a lovely pitch but on one occasion it wasn't so good as I was hit on the ankle in the first over from a fast full toss but scored a half century - and it was only when I limped into Accident and Emergency the following morning that I learned I had broken my ankle and had it in plaster for a while!

"My only other injury came when I stood at square leg in a county match and the winning run was achieved via a real bang on my knee - and as I was feeling the pain the players walked off and left me to my devices!"

Indoor cricket – and football too

Les has also been heavily involved in umpiring the indoor league for a number of years and says that standing at square leg there is the most dangerous position in cricket - but he has really enjoyed working with Wendy Bradshaw and Allan Hansen until last season, when he decided it was time to give younger umpires a chance. 

As well as his cricket, Les also played football alongside Mel Thomas, mainly for Merlins Bridge, after starting out in the summer cup competitions and playing for them in league football until he was well into his 40s – and loves Golf at Haverfordwest Golf Club too!

But cricket remains his No 1 sport and Les has remained on the executive committee of PACUS and will continue to officiate at matches, taking out his white coat to matches every Saturday and for midweek cup matches.

Les is appreciated

Trefor Evans: There is no fuss with Les but in 17 years working with him I know that he has strong views on the game and stays true to them. He has been I tireless worker and we are lucky to have had him for so long.

John Williams: My wife Hilary and I have stayed firm friends with Les and Ann, and there has been no better worker for Pembrokeshire Cricket than him. I am pleased that we umpired his first final together and were in the middle again for last season's final, where Neyland beat Whitland.

Steve Blowes: As hon secretary of the Pembroke County Cricket Club I have had to liaise with Les on a number of occasions and he helped ease me into the role when I took over the reins. I enjoy umpiring with him - and I think it helps that we sometimes play golf together at Haverfordwest GC"

Richard Merriman: Les ran the show in his inimitable style and he was a great help to me when I started umpiring, and became chairman of PACUS, and his are going to be a big pair of shoes to fill!

"I have always been shown respect by players in the county," said Les, "and I will continue to stand in the middle as long as that remains."

We are sure that respect will remain because Les is highly regarded around the clubs and we wish him lots more games where he can bring his solid, no-nonsense approach to cricket in Pembrokeshire because he is a gentleman of the sport!