Pembrokeshire v Valero Charity Match:
 
Pembrokeshire Coaches:

 
With this eagerly-anticipated charity match approaching we at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk thought it was time to whet the appetites of all those who hope to attend and enjoy a cracking match whilst also helping a really worthwhile cause.
 
Today we start out with brief pen-pictures of the Pembroke County XV coaching quartet and tomorrow we will feature their opposite numbers in the Valero XV camp.
 

Steve Martin

Steve is still one of the most popular and respected players in the county and now a player/coach at Milford Haven, along with Nathan Williams in the opposition camp, so that should be interesting!

He played his major rugby in the three-quarter line at Narberth over a lengthy period where he played over 212 league matches, was top scorer (22 tries in 22 games) and captain for four seasons – as well as enjoying one season at Llanelli sandwiched in between as well as representing the Wales Amateur team against Germany.

Steve then took on the role of player/coach at Neyland before going on to The Observatory to be involved there over the past four seasons, despite Covid halting participation on the field so he got involved in lots of charity stuff over the  internet after showing some of The Mariners’ youngsters how fit he still is at 35!

He works now as the ‘Inclusion Manager’ at Milford Haven School and has also had an input in rugby there, too!

 

Jonathan Evans

At 38, Jonathan is one of the new breed of coaches across the county and is doing a great job as head coach of Tenby United, where his focus has been on bringing on talented young players who will serve The Seasiders well for a long time to come.

He played his youth and senior rugby at Lampeter but at 23 a serious injury in a match against Newcastle Emlyn put him permanently out of playing – but he was soon contributing to his club because within a year he became their head coach, followed by four years with the Scarlets’ Under 16s and five years now at Heywood Lane, after his work brought him into this county.

In that time Jonathan has really established something of a conveyor belt of young talent that is beginning to produce a very capable first team squad which just needs plenty of playing experience before The Seasiders become a force to be reckoned with in the local game again.

 

Gareth Bennett

‘Bennie’ has had a wealth of experience as a rugby player at Carmarthen Athletic, Llanelli, Dunvant and then Narberth, where he had eight seasons and 166 league appearances as an influential back-rower, after making his debut against Whitland in 1999.

He was immensely popular with their hardy band of supporters who really appreciated his go-forward approach and 100% commitment to the club.

Then it was on to Llandovery and back to Carmarthen Athletic, where he cut his coaching teeth over a couple of seasons before a final campaign of playing for Whitland and then taking over the coaching at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn, where he has built a strong squad who follow his belief in positive rugby.

He is very much a larger-than-life character and there is no doubt that his involvement with the county squad’s forwards can only be a positive one!

 

John Davies

Easily the most experienced player in the coaching set-up after 34 appearances at prop for Wales, including all three matches in the 1995 World Cup, held in South Africa.

He started his playing career with Crymych Youth and is now back at the club coaching the club’s under 15 team, which he has been involved with since they started as eight year olds, and is also forwards’ coach to the first team where Elgan Vittle is head coach.

A tough, no-nonsense front rower, John played his senior rugby with Neath, Richmond, Llanelli and The Scarlets, where he became only the second  player to make 100 appearances – and then returned to play at Parc Lloyd Thomas and help Crymych to their first-ever victory in the Pembrokeshire Knockout Cup Final.

John is held in huge regard in rugby circles and certainly reflects all that is good in our local game – and he will surely play a big part in this coaching set-up, especially in the close exchanges up front!