When Haverfordwest RFC gained promotion from Division Three A (West) no-one was more delighted than head coach Jason Davies because he had taken The Blues to success after just one season at the helm - although it was tinged with a little sadness because he will now be leaving the club because of work commitments.

Jason had arrived in the county in his role as Warrant Officer 1 with the First the Queen's Dragoon Guards, The Welsh Cavalry, and had been assigned to work at Castlemartin Camp – but had recently gained a promotion to the rank of captain and as a result must now move on to  Catterick Camp to take up a new challenge as the regiment’s welfare officer.

"I have been made very welcome by everyone at Haverfordwest and it will be a wrench to move because I would love to see how the team responds to the challenge of Division Two rugby - and I hope that things go well for them."

Merlins Bridge start by accident

Jason's start at the Blues’ Merlins Bridge headquarters came about in a coincidental manner after a long and quite frustrating journey from his previous role in Germany, where he had played a lot of rugby and started out in his coaching career, to a Haverfordwest hotel for their first-ever night in Pembrokeshire.

The next day saw Jason and his wife Louise took a tour of the area that included the likes of Solva, Newgale and Broad Haven which eventually ended with his seeking out the nearest rugby club.
He met Delyth and John Summons, who both play big roles in the club in different ways and said he would be happy to help in any way he could because he could sense the warmth there.

Ground rules laid down early . . .

"I discovered that they had been relegated the previous season and offered to help but thought no more about it as I set about my work with the army - but one evening received a phone call telling me the role as the club's head coach was available so I sent in my CV, was called to interview and got the job.

"I made it clear from the outset that in general I would adopt a 'no train, no play' policy which the players found hard at first but gradually adapted to - and with Simon Lepetit and Merv Griffiths helping we set out to get the players match fit - so there were inevitably a few grumbles as we rarely saw a rugby ball for the first three weeks as I put them through it!

. . . And begin to pay off!

"But it paid off as we started to do well, with Jonathan Mason as an inspirational captain, and our only defeat, a single point loss at Cardigan, I take the bulk of the blame because I made a tactical error and the players lost a little focus as a result.

"My only other disappointment was our Welsh Cup defeat against Aberdare because we didn't perform as we could - but those apart there were some terrific play in two key games against Milford Haven, tough tussles where we came through against Pembroke and the Quins; and especially our last match where we gained revenge against Cardigan."

Family matters

Jason certainly hails from a rugby-orientated family because his dad Neil, a native of Blaen y Maes, Swansea, played the game during his long army service with the same regiment, whilst his younger brothers Dominic and Kieron not only played in this country but both represented Germany over 30 times each because mum  originally hailed from that country..

Jason and Louise have four children in Bethany, Jack, George and Gabriella - and he would be the first to praise their support in all the time he has invested in sport because as well as the oval ball game he has also played cricket and during his stay in our county he has played for Johnston, again after being ‘persuaded’ to play by John and Delyth Summons!

Enjoys cricket too

Jason had started out as a batsman at Christ College, Brecon and averaged 37 runs in the sixth form.
"But once I had joined up I didn't have so much time," he admitted, " but I always played once a year when the regiment celebrated Waterloo Day (18th June) with a match between the officers and the sergeants/warrant officers.

"I had a few runs at Johnston and my slow bowling saw me taking three wickets against Lawrenny - and as well as a great bunch of lads there it also allowed me to enjoy playing at some very picturesque grounds I would never otherwise have seen."

Good rugby played in school

Going back to his rugby, Jason made an early start at Llandaff Cathedral School and swiftly switched from hooker to scrum half, where he played for the rest of his career - especially at Christ College where the big matches were always against Llandovery College.

So it was perhaps one of his most memorable matches which came in his upper sixth year when Jason and Co not only won but he collected the man of the match award – and they also reached the final of the Rosslyn Park Schools’ Sevens before losing out to Wellington College.

"After the match my father was asked if I would like to join Richmond and he used to taxi me back and fore from Dorset for twice-weekly training sessions in London, plus matches against the under 21s from Bath and Cardiff, where I eventually took a job with a computer firm, but hated it.

Joined HM Forces on an impulse

“It was at this time I joined the army on impulse and before I knew it I was serving in Germany, where I have spent the majority of my 20 years in the regiment and played for them and then the British Army in Germany against emerging countries like Austria, Belgium, Denmark and Holland, including one game where I coached the team against Germany when I had a brother in the opposition!

“After a spell out with an embolism I came back to Lulworth and played alongside Dominic at Bournemouth and it was at this time I took up coaching seriously and loved it from the outset, inspired by Junior Paramour, who coached there after playing for Gloucester and Samoa.

Became an Army Master!

"But I also played on and was delighted to be selected for The Army Masters (over 35s) to take on the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, beating each twice and receiving my jerseys and cap as great mementoes.

“The cap has XXXV embroidered as well as the emblem and I presented it to my regiment when I retired from playing."

“My only real gap in playing until I was 37 came when I was on duty in Iraq in 2003 but I still managed four or five games – and when I stopped playing I loved being involved in coaching, with the chance to develop a side’s play.

Lasting friendships made at Haverfordwest RFC

The head coach’s role at Haverfordwest was my first chance to lead the coaching set-up and although I am disappointed in one way to leave I know that I have other challenges work-wise and they are sure to keep me busy for a while.

“But I will never forget the friendships my family and I have forged in the Haverfordwest Club with players, committee and supporters and who knows – one day I might return to the area with the army and I would need no second bidding to renew old friendships there!”