30 Years Commemorative Special Feature:
There was a very special evening at Pembroke Dock CC recently to celebrate 30 years of ladies’ cricket in Pembrokeshire after current County Club president Nick Evans started up a county team – and in the intervening three decades is still heavily involved.
Pembrokeshire lost their first match in 1992, played in Pontarddulais, with the scorers being Helen Hodges (Lamphey) and Rita Sexton (Haverfordwest), with Bill Carne (then vice chairman of the Pembroke County Cricket Club) as umpire, and with Stan Richards (County Club president) also there to cheer our local ladies on.
There was lots of interest as a result of this game at The Bont and it was decided to organise a league structure. Julia White donated the Ocky White Trophy, which is still played for today as the Division One Trophy but in the early 90’s friendly games were organised, which led to a Pembrokeshire XI being selected to play against a South Wales team which included former England player Lynn Thomas.
Nick unable to attend but sent a message
Unfortunately Nick Evans wasn’t able to be at the celebration evening as he was recovering from his hip operation, so Andrew Scott-Davies (Pembroke CCC and Pembroke Dock CC) read a message from him, which outlined how it all began after the time in the late 80’s when Mrs Julia White, having played cricket in her early years, was very keen to see organised women’s cricket in Pembrokeshire.
Andrew also read a congratulatory message from Cricket Wales CEO Leshia Hawkins.
Sam says a few words in praise of Nick Evans
One of those who played in that first game was Sam Rossiter (Hook CC), who told PembrokeshireSport.co.uk:
“Having had the absolute pleasure of playing in all 30 of our Pembrokeshire Ladies Cricket seasons, I am delighted to be here tonight.
“It is a great shame that Nick cannot be with us this evening for he was instrumental in the formation of the Ladies’ League and subsequently the Pembrokeshire Ladies’ Cricket Association; and without his support and promotion, ladies’ cricket would not have become established at that time, when women’s cricket was viewed very differently to how it is now.
“He was also the Coach/Manager of the first Welsh Ladies’ team which played its inaugural fixture against Scotland at Pontypridd in 2002 with five Pembrokeshire players in the team. I would like to thank all of the executive officers who have served, of which there have been surprisingly very few, in the 30 years.
“Nick carried out all the roles at various times before settling into the presidency in 2000. Kath Adams, or Buggy Huxley as she was back then, was our first Chair, with Caryl Brace and Jenny Griffiths fulfilling the Secretary and Fixture Secretary roles in the early days. Jackie Williams had a brief stint as Chair in 2004 before Diane Morris took it on long term until last year when she handed the reins over to present incumbent Lauren Davies.
Looking back at clubs involved
“Mandy Jones has been the Treasurer since 1996 and Sam Rossiter the Secretary since the year 2000. Over the years, 19 teams have become members of the Association: eight began the inaugural season; Burton, Carew, Cresselly, Hook, Lawrenny, Llangwm, Neyland and Pembroke, with Haverfordwest and Kilgetty joining the following year.
“We were joined at various junctures along the way by Lamphey, Herbrandston, Whitland, Saundersfoot, Johnston, Narberth and Crymych, whilst Pembroke Dock and St Ishmaels are the most recent entries.
“We remained at 8-10 teams for the first 15 years or so before a slight decline lead us to a really low point in 2014, when just four teams competed. At this point, Cricket Wales were very supportive and along with the advent of softball festivals, thankfully we have expanded year on year ever since to reach our current 11 team, 2 division set up.
“And with four more new teams enjoying the softball league this season, who knows what next season will bring? Of the 19 active teams, seven have registered victories in either the league or Cup competitions, with five teams, Herbrandston, Carew, Neyland, Hook and Cresselly completing the League and Cup Double in the same season; Neyland on two occasions and Hook six times.
Some memorable moments
“There have been plenty of ladies trips over the years, an early one in 1996 saw several teams represented on a bus trip to Lords, to watch a NZ versus England Ladies ODI, and a great day had by all until we were in sight of home, when petrol, or the lack of it caused us a few problems!
“Another memorable day in 2000 saw seven Hook ladies and Julie Garlick travel to Burton on Trent for an eight-a-side tournament, and they returned as Derby Ladies Day winners. There were some trips further afield for those representing Wales; Pembrokeshire has provided many players to the Welsh age group and senior levels.
“Several of our under 17s toured South Africa in 2012 and five senior players toured Barbados in 2005, with two going on to compete in the European Championships that year, which also featured England, Scotland, Ireland and Holland.
“There have also been lots of Pembrokeshire representative matches against the likes of the South Wales League, St Fagans and Bridgend but our toughest test came at Carew in 2001, when we entertained a touring Australian team representing New South Wales Combined High Schools, when the rain saved us from certain defeat.
“Moving on to the current season, congratulations to Division One Champions Cresselly, Clive Huxley Cup Winners Burton and a special mention for Pembroke Dock Ladies who were Division Two Champions and winners of the first-ever Ladies Welsh Cup softball competition.
Regarding the County fixture in Pontarddulais of which we spoke, a team photo and basic scorecard are included in this article.
Photo (back row): Nick Evans; Bill Carne; Jane Gale, Elaine Scale, Tricia Dixon, Christine Cole, Kath Easton, Sam Rossiter, Stan Richards. (Front row): Caryl Brace, Christine Richards, Fiona Gould, Kath Huxley, Jo Kerrison, Rhona Williams, Denise Powell.
