At 72 years of age Nick Evans is still a useful off-spin bowler who plays for Narberth CC, is one of the main men for the coaching set up for county and regional cricket at junior level, is heavily involved in ladies’ cricket, and has been on the executive committee of the Pembroke County Cricket Club for 22 years.
He has also played cricket for Wales at over 50 and over 60 levels, travelled to all corners of the globe as he has played on tour for at least eight counties in England – and is currently in training for a second physical challenge for charity that would test a cricketer of half his age!
From the Great Wall of China to the Grand Canyon
A couple of years ago Nick walked part of the Great Wall of China and paid all his own personal expenses as he raised £5,000 for the Breast and Prostate Cancer charity – and in the next couple of weeks is going to walk upwards of 70 miles in the Grand Canyon to raise funds for Breast Cancer. He is hoping to meet up with some of the people who walked with him in China and again he is all self-funded and hopes that cricket-lovers will support him for such worthwhile causes.
“We aim to cover about 12 miles a day over very rough terrain on an old Indian trail,” said Nicky “and we will sleep in tents en route and, amazingly, we have been given permission to visit the Havasupai Indian reservation as their guests, so I am sure it is going to be a trip to remember.”
Nick shows genuine longevity
Nicky is currently running upwards of eight miles on three days and often walks 12 miles on three other days in the week, as well as playing every Saturday for Narberth 2nds, where he is still taking his share of wickets. Not content with that little lot, he also plays regularly for the Wales over 60s that travel all over England to play against county teams that often have former professional players involved.
Nick’s longevity in cricket makes amazing reading because he has played in the county for almost 60 years and in that time played in 12 Harrison-Allen Bowl finals, winning half of them with Narberth (as long ago as 1959), Kilgetty and then Cresselly. Add in numerous appearances in the Duggie Morris Cup Final for all three clubs – and one final of the Alec Colley Cup (for second teams) in a
Rightly proud
He is rightly proud of the fact that he represented Pembrokeshire well over 100 times, arguably the most ever, after setting out in 1961 against Glamorgan 2nds and finishing 1n 1994 against the same opposition who this time had former pro footballer Alan Durban (who played for Derby County and managed Cardiff City) and Ken Lang, who sadly passed away recently. His most wickets in a season was 70-plus and at the moment Nicky is still leading wicket-taker this campaign for Narberth 2nds, not bad going for a well-established pensioner!
Deserved life membership
It is good to report that Nick is also busy off the field in his administrative work, which was recognised last season when he was made a Life Member of Pembroke County Cricket Club. He is heavily involved in Ladies’ Cricket, having been involved since the outset when Pembrokeshire played against Wales at Pontarddulais – and is still president now that the county has been granted regional status in recognition of its organisation, as well as running the Welsh Ladies’ cricket team.
Nicky has also done yeoman work with the county’s talented junior players and is vice-chairman of the local coaching association, as well as managing the age groups for the region and allocating the coaches for age group and liaising with them when necessary over matters like CRB checks and medical forms.
Played all over the world
Going back to his own playing days, Nicky has played for Wales over 50s since the early 1990s and more recently with the over 60s. He has played in Australia, New Zealand,, France, Spain, Barbados, Grenada, St Lucia, Trinidad, Tobago, Cayman Islands, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Sri Lanka and Malta.
“There have been some stunning venues, like the foothills of The Andes,” Nick told us, “and some surprisingly good cricket in South America and parts of Europe. I have been very lucky to be able to enjoy it – and have made good friends all over the world because of cricket.”
Football success
Outside of his cricket, Nick has also enjoyed football and as a youngster played in the Welsh League for Haverfordwest County alongside older brother John, Ray and Roy Davies, Winston Griffiths, Dan Evans and John Davies.
“I played in the Senior Cup Final for Narberth where we were level with RAF Brawdy at full time but lost in extra time, as well as against a very good Fishguard Sports team which beat us 2-1 in a cracking final.”
And finally . . .
“But now I focus on cricket and some fund-raising to help others who need it. Walking on the Great Wall of China was breath-taking but I expect walking in the Grand Canyon to be even tougher,” admitted Nick, “So I aim to be be fit when we leave. If anyone who knows me would like to sponsor me I would be delighted to hear from them.”
Nick Evans is amazingly fit already for someone his age and all we can say is that we wish him every success, we at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk will volunteer a few quid, and marvel at the way he still stays involved at 72 years of age!