Fishguard restart – and look back on 20 years of drama and upheaval

The past 20 years have been a rollercoaster at Fishguard and Goodwick CC to say the least! 

From competing in the upper echelons of the leagues, to dropping down, to being evicted from The Moor and having to play ‘home’ games at Haverfordwest CC, to staging a revival before struggling for numbers and then folding - and now reforming at a new home for the 2021 season. 

Matthew Griffiths told us: “Trying to pick eleven players was not easy so we drew upon some ex-players and captains who have played for the club since the Millennium. All too modest to put themselves forward for selection, but thoroughly deserving for their performances over the years. 

“There are a younger players who, if they’d stayed at the club for longer, would no doubt have challenged for selection. Adam Raymond, Jonny Strawbridge, Matthew Morgan, Sam Kurtz, Rhys Dalling, Vaughan Davies and Ben Jones all performed well when starting out in senior cricket with us and went on to be good players elsewhere. 

“And likewise, when the club was going through dark times, there were plenty of boys willing to step up. The likes of Sean O’Connor, Russell Jones, Nigel Morgan, Darren John and Geraint Harries all played important roles in keeping the club afloat and all deserve immense praise. 

“Sadly, there have also been some great servants to the club who we’ve lost over the last ten years including Brian ‘Bomber’ Hughes, David ‘Dai Griff’ Griffiths, and Johnny ‘Guitar’ Watson who played important roles and taught many of us about the social side of the game. 

“The likes of Gary Strawbridge, Ben Watson, Rod Kemp, Mark Delaney, Geno Cleal, Panda Waddup and Michael Lawrence can all count themselves unlucky that they just missed out. We’ve gone with a 14-man squad rather than 12 to keep our options open depending on the weather and pitch conditions.” 




1.       David Haynes – ‘Dessie’ joined the club from Neyland when taking up a new role at Fishguard Secondary School around the turn of the century. He had a big influence on the youngsters in school and was popular with all of his teammates. A classy opening batsman who scored a bucketload of runs for the club for a number of years before leaving to join Haverfordwest. 
 






2.       Jon Twigg – Joined the club at the same time as Dessie Haynes and played a huge role in the development of the club, and playing in the higher divisions. A classy batsman and captain, Jon was an important player for the club at a time when the team was riding high. 




 












3.       Nigel Delaney – Nigel was an excellent run gatherer at the top of the order. He was quick between the wickets and excellent in the field and could also turn the arm when needed. Nigel made a big impact before achieving great success at Haverfordwest and Llanrhian. An excellent sportsman from a great sporting family, and keeps his brother Mark out of the team.  

 










4.       Kevin Bowen – Started off as a quick bowler, before becoming a very destructive batsman who was able to score at a quick rate and with a liking for big hitting. Kev scored nine centuries for the club including a massive 172 highest score and 123 on three occasions, as well as scoring 92 in two separate cup finals. Very much a big game player who could have easily played at a higher level. Currently living in the Cotswolds but is hopeful of playing a few games next season for Fishguard. 







 
5.       Nigel Morgan (Captain) – Our ‘Mr Cricket’! who loves the game and all that goes with it. Joined the club along with son Matthew when Dinas CC folded and gave a huge amount to the club, both on and off the field in a decade of service. Still playing successfully in Division 2 with Haverfordwest, scoring runs and bowling left arm spin. A great clubman and very good cricketer – with a highest score of 100 not out for us. 

 










6.       Darren John – ‘Dapper’ was our ‘Mr Dependable’ who rarely failed with the bat and captained the team to great effect over a number of years. No mean bowler also with his left arm spin either and a quality all-rounder. Normally found asleep in a pub by 10pm when celebrating a win earlier that afternoon. 

 





7.       Richard Evans – A classy batsman and great competitor who played for the club for a number of years in all divisions and scored plenty of runs throughout that time. Could bat anywhere in the top order and do a good job.  

 
8.       Jon De Groot (WK) – A very talented wicketkeeper/batsman who played for the club for a number of years, whilst also coaching the youth section, including his son Paul, who was also no mean player. Valued his wicket very highly and wasn’t always the happiest when getting dismissed. 
 
9.       Steve Meaney – One of the most naturally talented sportsmen ever to come out of the twin towns. Bowled deceptively quickly for a long period and scored plenty of runs for the club, whilst also captaining for a number of seasons. He could destroy an attack in the blink of an eye. A real character who was a big influence on a generation when playing in the now defunct midweek league and as the elder statesman in the second team at the end of his playing days. 






 
10.   Rob Couzens – ‘Chunky’ also started off at Dinas CC before finding his way down to The Moor. A very good all-rounder who could bat anywhere from 1-11. Bowled quick seam up, before changing to spin in later years. A destructive batsman on his day and as a former cage fighter, was never one to back down on the pitch. He played a big role in the successful Division 5 campaign of 2015. 





 





11.   Sean O’Connor – ‘Mr 7/10’. Sean was never a big hitter, or super quick bowler, but he would always deliver a steady performance week in, week out. He could bat anywhere and scored plenty of runs; and took a lot of wickets with his deceptive medium pacers over the years. Sean kept the club afloat singlehandedly for a number of years in his role as chairman/captain.  Also a highly respected football referee and administrator. 

 




12.   Anthony Couzens – ‘Chunky’ (not to be confused with elder brother ‘Rob Chunky’). Also known as the ‘Dinas Express’ and  led the charge back up the leagues with his quick bowling and big hitting cameos. He worked well with his brother in the successful Division 5 campaign of 2015 and is still playing today for Llanrhian and taking plenty of wickets.  




 
13.   Alan Proud – A decent bowler who played for a number of years as well as a consistent opening bowler who played for Trecwn previously. He could also swing the bat when needed and a quiet unassuming guy off the pitch but great competitor on it. 


 


14.   Rob Sutton – A quality all-rounder who joined the club from Division One team Cresselly back at the turn of the century. Wasn’t at Fishguard for a long time but made a huge impact whilst at the club. ‘Sooty’ was a first-division class bowler and could also knock the ball around if needed. A great guy, who sadly is no longer with us.