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Sport

Dai Williams: A Personal Tribute

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Written by Jon Coles

DAVID WILLIAMS, known universally as Dai, the President of Pembroke Cricket Club, died earlier this week.

Although he had been in declining health for some time, his death followed a short admission to Withybush.

To the end of his life, his conversation would become animated when he spoke about cricket: a sport he loved and he served over the course of a long life, well-lived.

David – Dai – taught at the Coronation School in Pembroke Dock before it closed and merged with Pembroke Grammar School at Bush.

There, he had the chance to influence young lives and to encourage his students to make the best of his talents.

But his contribution to Pembrokeshire sport – particularly junior sport – spread that influence across Pembrokeshire.

He really was Mr Pembroke Cricket.

He had a distinguished playing career himself, captaining a First XI containing strong characters such as Eifion Powell, George and Keith Hulbert, Derek Skone, and his great friend Johnny Jones.

I first met Dai when I turned up at the nets at Pembroke when I was around sixteen years old. I wanted to be a quick bowler and propelled a few deliveries down the concrete strip under his eagle eye.

He gave me a few words of encouragement in a Pembrokeshire accent as broad as the Cleddau that turned into more than a few laughs when I tried batting.

There was, he barked, a lot to work on.

Back then, Pembroke were ever-present in Division One and the Second team were a strong and experienced time. There was, however, still a midweek league, and I got my first taste of senior cricket in it.

There would be Dai, watching at the side.

Vee-neck jumper, baggy trousers, argyle socks and open toed sandals. His eyes scanning the play while he gossiped with other spectators.

He’d offer his opinions if you asked him. And you’d better be prepared for him to tell you if you’d mucked up or made a silly mistake.

One of my fondest memories of those years is from 1984, when Pembroke fielded a Third XI against a Saundersfoot Second XI at a time when neither team was in the league.

It was a baking hot Sunday afternoon at Saundersfoot, and we bowled out the home team for not many over a hundred.

Dai opened the batting with Eifion Powell.

Both had retired from playing and the young players watching didn’t have much of an idea what to expect. Our number three batsman was padded up and practising his shots in expectation of an early trip to the crease.

He waited.

And waited.

We saw a masterclass in manoeuvring the ball around the field, between the fielders, and the art of ‘quiet tap’, where the bowler leaks runs without realising what’s going on.

Both Dai and Eifion never gave Saundersfoot a sniff and we won the game by ten wickets.

And that was the last time I saw him play.

But years later, when I returned to Pembroke, there he was at every home game.

Vee neck jumper, baggy trousers, argyle socks, open-toed sandals. His eyes scanning the play while he gossiped with other spectators.

He’d kept on coaching Pembroke’s juniors and was one of the pioneers of junior cricket in Pembrokeshire.

His love for the game was exceeded only by his love of coaching young players to be better, to do more, to play cricket hard but to enjoy the experience.

His hair was a little greyer around the temples, but he was still keen for his young charges to do well.

Come tea, there he’d be, walking across the outfield from his usual seat near the gate, ready for a cup of tea, a sandwich, and a cake.

He’d chat away with the older players, his friends among the opposition, and remind those he’d coached that he had an eye on them.

By damn, there were a lot of them.

There still are.

After the game, he’d be in the rugby club over the road carefully counting out his money for each beer and happily accepting any free drinks offered to him.

He was, for such a short man, larger than life in every respect.

Dai Williams was one of those people you could imagine going on forever.

I saw him for the last time a couple of years ago.

His hair was grey and still swept back from the brows.

Vee neck jumper, baggy trousers, argyle socks, open-toed sandals. His eyes scanning the play while he gossiped with other spectators.

There are many who will remember him far better as a man, as a coach, and as a rock on which junior cricket could depend for so many years.

But when I remember him, it’ll be the familiar bark of his voice and his love for cricket and imparting his knowledge of the game that will linger longest.

Sport

Division 3 (West) & Division 4 (West A) – Weekend Rugby Round-Up

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Haverfordwest 64 – Amman United 24
HAVERFORDWEST ran in ten tries to claim a dominant home win over Amman United. Winger Scott Candler crossed for a hat-trick, while Jack Evans (2), Jetman Temaki, Mike Griffiths, Matty Phillips, Liam Eaton, and Guy Barrons also touched down. Amman fought back late, earning a bonus point with two tries apiece from Dylan Matthews and Rhydian Jones.

Pontyberem 14 – Cardigan 32
Cardigan controlled proceedings to secure a bonus-point win over winless Pontyberem. Aaron Evans grabbed a brace, with further scores from Aaron Tomkinson, John Lumb, and Iwan Toft. Shaun Leonard added two conversions and a penalty. Pontyberem responded with tries from Jamie Jones and Daf Lloyd, both converted by Mike Sauro.

Narberth Athletic 27 – Pembroke Dock Harlequins 22
Narberth Athletic held off a spirited Quins comeback to remain second in Division 4A after a thrilling Friday night encounter. Brad Cramb crossed twice, with further tries from Declan Cole and Jac Norcross. Shane Rossiter kicked two conversions and a penalty. Jack Price (2), Owain Turner, and Craig Barnett replied for the visitors, with Ben Hathaway converting once.

St Davids 77 – Llanybydder 22
St Davids produced a 13-try blitz to overpower Llanybydder in a one-sided contest. Harvey Lavin, Nathan Foster, Mike Gurney, George Raymond, and Ben Perkins all bagged braces, with Kiron Mason, Morgan Griffiths, and Bob Froy also on the scoresheet. Llanybydder salvaged a bonus point with four tries, including two from Steffan Griffiths.

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Sport

Seasiders and Seagulls soar with big wins in Division One and Two clashes

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Division One (West)Tenby run riot with ten-try demolition of Felinfoel
Tenby United 64 – Felinfoel 19

TENBY UNITED kept up the pressure on Division One (West) leaders Aberystwyth with a ruthless 64-19 victory over Felinfoel at Heywood Lane on Saturday.

The Seasiders delivered a scintillating attacking display, crossing for ten tries in a match that underlined their title credentials. Tenby raced into a 31-7 lead at the break and never let up, blending pace, precision, and power throughout.

Dan Colley and Gwion Jones were among the standout performers—Colley scoring twice and Jones bagging a hat-trick from the wing. Jake Roberts also crossed twice, while George Rossiter and the returning Toby Smith added their names to the scoresheet. A penalty try opened proceedings.

Half-backs Dai Jones and Lloyd Thomas controlled the tempo brilliantly, with Thomas converting six of the ten tries in a composed display from the tee.

Felinfoel showed some resistance, with captain Elliot Dawe grabbing a brace of tries from the wing and full-back Tom Cadell powering over for another. Fly-half Tom Allen added two conversions, but the visitors were outgunned by Tenby’s relentless tempo and attacking ambition.

The result keeps Tenby firmly in the title race and sends a clear message as the season heads into its final stretch.

Tenby United team:
Geraint Jones; Matthew Lewis, Liam Price, Toby Smith, Gwion Jones; Lloyd Thomas, Dai Jones; Ethan Morgan, Kyle Rossiter, Rob Luly; Alex Jenkins, Tom Barrass (capt); Jack Brown, Max Brindley, Dan Colley.
Replacements: George Rossiter, Luke Dedman, Jake Roberts, Dom Colman, Jordan Asparassa, Max Boswell.


Division Two (West)
Captain Lewis leads Seagulls to seven-try rout
Fishguard & Goodwick 67 – Betws 12

FISHGUARD & GOODWICK put in a dominant display to sweep aside Betws 67-12 at home, with new captain Rhys Lewis marking the occasion with a hat-trick from the back row.

The Seagulls were in fine form from the outset, racing to a 41-0 lead by half-time. Their sharp handling, quick recycling and clinical finishing were too much for Betws, who struggled to keep pace.

Lewis led from the front with a superb treble, while Max Jones crossed twice. Dom Sinnet, Mark Jones, Simon James, and Ed Rathbone also got on the scoresheet. Mark Jones was faultless with the boot, kicking eight conversions and adding two penalties for a personal haul of 27 points.

Betws showed heart in the second half, registering two tries through Jonathan Hier, one of which was converted by Andrew Gosnold, but the damage had long been done.

The emphatic win highlighted the growing depth and confidence in Fishguard’s ranks, with young leaders like Lewis showing they can deliver on the big stage.

Fishguard & Goodwick try scorers: Rhys Lewis (3), Max Jones (2), Dom Sinnet, Mark Jones, Simon James, Ed Rathbone
Conversions/Penalties: Mark Jones (8 cons, 2 pens)
Betws try scorers: Jonathan Hier (2)
Conversion: Andrew Gosnold (1)

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Sport

Manderwood Pembrokeshire League – Division 1 Round-Up

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Merlins Bridge edge Kilgetty in tight encounter

Merlins Bridge leapfrogged Kilgetty into seventh place with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Kingsmoor. Hayden Dimond opened the scoring with a stunning 25-yard free-kick, before Jason Griffiths doubled the lead early in the second half. Kilgetty hit back quickly through Richard Tebbutt, but the Wizards held firm to take all three points.

Swifts see off Carew to climb fourth

Monkton Swifts picked up their tenth win of the season with a comfortable 2-0 victory at home to Carew. Connor Davies opened the scoring in the first half, and substitute Jason Finnegan sealed the win late on. Carew remain third from bottom, still in danger as the season nears its conclusion.

Hakin overcome battling Pennar

Hakin United defeated a spirited Pennar Robins side 3-1 at the Obs. Shane Walsh teed up Ashley Bevan for the opener, but Pennar responded through Ben Adams. After the break, Bevan and Liam Parks combined for Hakin’s second, before Parks added a third to secure the win for the Vikings.

Tenby strike late to beat Tish

Tenby claimed a dramatic 2-1 win over St Ishmaels at the Clicketts. Joey Leahy fired the hosts ahead early on, but Tish levelled through Finley Armstrong. The visitors were reduced to ten men late in the game, and in stoppage time Jerome Williams struck the winner. A vital goal in Tenby’s fight for survival – and one that Milford United would have celebrated as the relegation battle intensifies.

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