Nice nails Mr X!
You never know who you are going to bump into on walks along The Parrog in Goodwick and one such was a well-known cricketer from Lawrenny now playing the odd game for Neyland Thirds , who was delivering foodstuffs at the cracking Ocean Lab there.
The first thing I noticed as we chatted was his beautifully manicured fingernails, the ones on his right hand tastefully coloured in a deep purple and the other with a nice shade of pink.
When I asked him about them he told me that he had been coerced into having them done by his grandchildren but I think that is a load of rubBISH because the way that he was showing them of to the girls in the café made it seem that he loved being in the limelight.
Personally, I thought they looked very nice and told him so but I had to reluctantly refuse and tell him I didn’t think the colours suited my complexion!
He allowed me to take a pic of his colourful digits but for some reason he shied away from a proper photograph so I had to speedily snap this one!
John says stop referee baiting – when ball sports return to the county!
I have been privileged to know John Phillips in his role as a top amateur boxing official for almost 40 years and although there is some referee-baiting in amateur boxing it is kept well under control – and he told me that the same thing must happen in rugby, football and cricket in Pembrokeshire.I bumped into John Phillips at a Boxing Day tussle between Narberth and Whitland rugby clubs and although he enjoyed the match he was amazed at the amount of ‘stick’ given to the referee by people in the crowd, who clearly knew less about the rules than he did but didn’t stop moaning whenever a decision went against their team.
“It is high time that this sort of thing stopped, otherwise clubs in rugby and football in particular might find themselves without refs.
“I’m especially amazed that club officials did nothing to stop the non-stop abuse because in my experience turning a deaf ear to it is in a way condoning the behaviour.
“I’m all for a bit of banter,” John finished, “but it would put me off going to games on a regular basis to hear the stupid and aggressive nonsense from people who should know better!”
Strong words perhaps but even more appropriate 20 years on – from a top sporting official who has refereed tens of thousands of bouts across the world and knows what he is talking about!
David has been a wonderful sporting ambassador
David Gibbs has been a hugely respected sports reporter, especially in cricket, alongside his work as a solicitor with Welsh Water in this county. When David came to Pembrokeshire he played his cricket for Kilgetty and later on became a wonderful press officer for Narberth RFC over a number of years – and early on at Kilgetty he certainly made an impact when he became their chairman. This is what we had to say in February, 1988.
With cricket looming close it is good to report on a club that is well organised from the very top. Kilgetty’s chairman David Gibbs is actively involved at Kingsmoor and his latest venture is a regular newsletter – and in Edition One it tells of indoor nets, a pre-season buffet, friendly fixtures, the club tour, availability of caps and sweaters, subscriptions and a presentation for junior players.
At many clubs players are not kept up to date like this but there is little chance of that happening with a live-wire like ‘The Grey Fox’ so involved at Kilgetty.
Clive can’t count!
Clive James was a popular rugby player and coach, as well as being the proud dad of top Welsh Women’s footballer Angharad James – but it seemed that 30 years ago his mathematical prowess wasn’t up to the same level in local darts as his garnering points from his fly half berth with Narberth RFC.As well as playing rugby for The Otters, Clive James enjoys his games of darts on a Friday evening and often regales his team mates the next day with details of his outstanding play.
But quite recently was telling them before the match about his scoring and the speed with which he could score the 501 points to win with a double.
“I had a ton, ton forty, ton 20 and carried on with great enthusiasm until frustrated hooker Steve Gerrard pointed out that by the time he had finished his game he had amassed almost 700 points and he still hadn’t reached the double!
I understand that before the next match Steve had then raided the first aid kit to get some cotton wool to shield tired eardrums, but refused point blank a suggestion that he should organise a whip-round for a pocket calculator for Mr James!
Are the Kirk brothers related to Baron Munchausen?
Two of my favourite characters amongst many at Whitland RFC are brothers Dai and Paul Kirk, the former a tough as teak prop and the latter a dynamic No 8. Both have always loved a chat and a tall story, like this one from a long time ago, when they were both first-team certainties.
When The Borderers met The Quins it was Paul who scored a try by dropping over the line but by the next time I met him it seemed that he had powered his way through three tacklers on a 35-yard burst and when they met Pembroke soon afterwards let me know his 70-yard run had set up a vital try.
Then Dai tried to top that be telling me he had made eight key tackles whilst keeping the scrum rock solid in the same match.
Now gullible me was ready to believe them until I spoke to club secretary Wyn Rosser, who pulled himself up to his full height, pursed his lips and gave it some thought – and told me that in his opinion Paul couldn’t run 70 yards if his life depended upon it and Dai hadn’t made eight tackles all season, let alone in one match.
I suspect the truth can be found somewhere in between the two camps but if you do bump into the Kirk Brothers ask them about their parts in the Borderers’ performances, especially if they win the league title!