Around The Boundary Feature:
That’s why he could feature in either ‘Around The Boundary or ‘Around The Touchline’ series but since we are now deep into the cricket season already we caught up with him recently after he had returned to action on the cricket front.
It is cricket that occupies his summer spare time between Herbrandston and St Ishmaels Cricket Clubs, the former as a player and the latter as team manager of the seconds, plus coach to juniors and ladies’ cricket. But the ‘former’ tag has been removed over the last couple of weeks because he has been recalled into action with Herbrandston Seconds and took the challenge after three years of inactivity.
He has been known as ‘Johnny Bap’ for over 30 years after a childhood incident when he fell off a shed roof whilst playing hide and seek with a friend, who took one look at his bruised face and said it looked like a small round bread roll - and the name ‘Bap’ has stuck ever since!
Joined son Dillon in the Herbie 2nd XI
He had a couple of reasons for deciding to make a return to action: firstly because his 13 year old son Dillon was going to be in the team and a few of his young charges whom he coaches at St Ishmaels CC were also in the Herbie Seconds against their counterparts from Kilgetty and so it was nice to show them that he did actually play the game.
“I regularly tell them about improving their skills through hard work and regular practice so I thought it was nice to show them I could at least hold a bat, despite carrying a bit of timber around the midriff!”
A slow start before going so close to three figures
“But it didn’t look as it my plan would work because when I opened the batting I couldn’t seem to hit the ball off the square but suddenly I began to feel more comfortable at the wicket and the boundaries started to come, which saved a bit of running.
“It was very hot but I eventually reached 95, including 14 fours and 2 sixes, with four balls of the innings were left. I was puffing like an old bull and so decided to go for an almighty swing in the hope of hitting a third six but it was a terribly tired shot as Darren Rees put the ball on middle stump and I was bowled neck and crop!”
If you asked Johnny he would admit that he was pleased to do so well but was just as pleased by the fact that Dillon came on as first-change bowler and although he didn’t pick up a wicket he only conceded 14 runs in his four overs, one of which was a maiden.
“Fortunately for me I didn’t have too much to do in the field as we bowled out Kilgetty for 63 to win by 132 runs so it was nice to be involved again - but I was still sore the next day and could hardly walk for a few days afterwards!”
Started out early with ‘Griff’ at Burton
All this seems a long way from his start in cricket when he was a youngster at Burton Cricket Club and he was lucky to have the late Brian Griffiths as his coach and mentor, who taught him not only about cricket skills but how to show respect for others in the game.
Johnny remained at Burton for 20 years but then moved to Herbrandston with his wife Clarissa, Dillon and other son Jack, who is nine years old. Clarissa is a superb scorer who used to do an excellent job with the first team and is now doing the same job with the seconds and was involved when Johnny scored his 95 runs.
Just down the road at St Ishmaels, Johnny is coach to a very talented group of young cricketers, three of whom are included in the regional team that he is involved in - and he has seen the ladies’ team grow in numbers and confidence.
“In the indoor league we had plenty of players and no shortage of support on our regular trips to play at Neyland - and the improvement in performances means we are already looking forward to next season indoors.
Also busy at The Obs with ‘The Vikings’
“Of course we were disappointed to miss out on both but it was an amazing season where we also blazed a trail as far afield as taking on clubs from as far afield as Wrexham, Anglesey and right across the M4 Corridor in the Welsh Cup and the Welsh FA Trophy alongside the West Wales’ competition, where the boys played at the home of Swansea City.
“We beat teams from the second tier of Welsh football in the JD Cymru South league, our seconds were amazing in winning the double of Division Two league and cup against a number of first teams from around the county, and our junior section has shown what a conveyor belt of talent our coaches are developing.”
It is worth mentioning the fact that Johnny was in attendance at EVERY away game and even drove coaches Scott Davies and Anthony Mayhew to some away games very far up the line - and they were very happy to reach their destination!
Back on the cricket front, Johnny also made a second appearance last week and scored 38 runs to show he can still contribute on the playing side and we wish him well in whatever he does - and both Gordon Thomas and I know that if we need any details from cricket or football we can give Johnny a ring and he will do his best to help out - and so will Clarissa on the cricket front!