After over two decades of playing in the front row for Fishguard & Goodwick RFC, tough-as-teak prop Gerwyn Davies has finally decided that at 39 years of age it is time to hang up his boots.

Gerwyn, who is a police officer in the North of the county, is an old-fashioned scrummager and someone who also quietly contributes elsewhere with his no-nonsense approach and recently told us his sporting story between night shifts!

Football start but a switch to rugby in Fishguard Secondary School

“Whilst at junior school I only played football,” admitted Gerwyn, “having county trials as goalkeeper, and I would follow Liverpool FC when they had the likes of Bruce Grobbelaar and Ian Rush. Although I followed rugby a little I never really played rugby in Fishguard Junior School as if there was ever a tournament the likes of Chris James, Rhys and Randall Williams would be picked.

“I then went to Fishguard Secondary School where Wayne Harries was the sports teacher and I started playing rugby. I was lucky to join a successful year team playing alongside the likes of Chris James, Dorian Ladd and Robert Morris as we had a strong side and went unbeaten for four years against other Pembrokeshire Schools - and only lost our first game to Bishopston School, who had Welsh schools caps in their ranks, in the Welsh School Cup.” 

From chapel to Sunday mini rugby!

Whilst playing at school he was then invited to join a new mini rugby team being set up under Colwyn James down at the Moor. However the training and games were being held on Sundays and at that time he was often being taken to chapel by his mother Ann on Sundays in Fishguard, with my brother Huw. 

In the end, however, his mother gave up trying to take him to chapel as he’d really caught the rugby 'bug' and because they were committed on the farm he used to cycle regularly from Wolfscastle to Goodwick, which is about 16 miles round trip, to attend training whilst some of his team mates couldn’t get out of bed living in Fishguard!

Naturally fit from farm work

“As a youngster growing up playing rugby I looked up to the Neath front row at the time of John Davies, Kevin Phillips and Bryan Williams, who were all from Pembrokeshire and were a hard physical unit. Having grown up on a farm in North Pembrokeshire and also being in the front row, I regarded them as my benchmark. 

“Helping my late father Gwyn with the physical work on the farm as a youngster certainly helped with my scrummaging because I never needed to go to the gym, not like the younger generation today, who always seem to be on the physio table or pulling out of matches with injuries.”
 

Lots of help from ‘Jacko’, ‘Big Al’, Randall and ‘Jenks’

Gerwyn progressed through all the different age groups to the youth and then on one occasion whilst attending with a large youth squad to play Haverfordwest the 2nds were short and the captain came in and chose the most senior youth players, so he ended up being thrown in against the likes of Jeff Clout and the Busch brothers. He was then taken under the wing of Peter 'Jacko' Jackson who used to travel back from Bridgend to help out, and used to look after him in those second team games.

He spent a few years in Aberystwyth playing for sides up there whilst he was in Agricultural University but came home to help the Seagulls out when he could.  Whilst home from University and playing for the Fishguard under 23's, he was invited by the then first team coach Alan McClelland to train with the seniors under the guidance of Alan Phillips, Randall Williams and Nathan Jenkins 

Great memories of The Millennium Stadium

Ask Gerwyn about his involvement and he is quick to answer:
“I have enjoyed being involved in the style of rugby Fishguard teams have played and it culminated in a day never to be forgotten in 2013 when having beaten Cilfynydd in the Swalec Welsh Bowl semi-final in Loughor we went on to  play Wattstown in the Millennium Stadium. 

“Walking out to the sound of ‘Bread of Heaven’ played by Goodwick Brass band, was awesome and despite losing the day will never be forgotten, just to see the number of people from Fishguard who made the effort to get to the game.

Nickname stuck – and some tough battles

“Whilst with the 1st XV I was effectively given the nickname of 'Cuddles' when asked if my wife Ceri had a pet name for me and when I said there wasn’t one I was given the nickname which has stuck for the last 15 years – and it has remained with me to the point that since I was given it most of the younger players know my nickname but not my real name!

“I have enjoyed my battles over the years, initially when I started as tight head prop but later on as the loose head, especially in the local Pembrokeshire games against the likes of Richard 'Spud' Mason for Pembroke, as they were always tough games but never dirty.

Right time to go

“I feel now is the right time to end my playing days having competed at a higher level with Fishguard in Division Two and going to be 39 years old this year.  Along with Chris James, now still playing with Swansea, we are the last of our age group from Fishguard still currently taking part. 

“The commitment to rugby has taken its toll after being a police constable with Dyfed Powys Police in North Pembrokeshire for 12 years because of the shift work and family commitments. Thanks must go to my wife Ceri for her support and my three daughters Branwen (11), Nerys (5) and Llinos (3) over the years, who have all put up with me being away for several hours on weekends with rugby commitments.

And finally . . .

“I'll miss the banter with team mates and the build-up to games which used to involve plenty of chat in work with colleagues from other local clubs. On my Saturdays off I think I’ll make the odd trip to watch the Scarlets and keep an eye on Rob Evans’ progress! 

“Although I have finally decided to hang up my boots I might just keep hold of them somewhere out of sight because, who knows, I may be tempted to make a 'guest appearance' for Fishguard RFC should they play against Haverfordwest and the likes of Gareth 'Savage' Phillips and Darren Salmon next season; but now is the right time to hang up those old boots! 

We at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk enjoyed our chat with Gerwyn Davies and there is no doubt that any local sport loses a little of its colour when genuine characters, like he is, decide to step down from a game he has graced!