Rob Williams choose the ‘select XI’ from Lawrenny - a great player who like dad Chris has stayed loyal to his home village.

Ee gave him the 20-year guideline but he wanted desperately to include three legends of the past – so we let him off.

“For me Bill, the best Lawrenny all round side was the one from the 2019 season. We finished second in the league and runners up in both the Harrison-Allen bowl and Duggie Morris Cups. We had no real stars but played as a unit and we were really unlucky not to pick up some silverware. 

“But the team I have picked is the best-ever Lawrenny side picked on individual ability.”

My best-ever Lawrenny XI

1. Chris Vincent

Right hand opening bat. ‘Vinny’ was a class act, scored loads of runs including a couple of tons. He could be aggressive with the bat or stay and dig in if he had to. A very important player for Lawrenny until he moved to Cardiff .

2. Harry Thomas

Left hand opening bat and swing bowler. ‘H’ opens the batting in the current Lawrenny side. A player who has scored a few tons for Lawrenny plus he can also bowl gentle away swing. There is a lot more to come from H.

3. Andrew Cole (snr) 

‘Coles’ would be my skipper. An outstanding player and a club legend. He skippered the side for many years and could bat anywhere in the top four. An aggressive batsman who always expected everyone to give 100% as he did. A player that everyone looked up to. 

4. Chris Williams

For many the best bat to have played for the club. He would undoubtedly be the first name on everyone’s list. One of the best bats in the county ‘Big Worm’ has scored tons for fun. He also took a lot of wickets with his medium pace. Had a serious injury while playing when got hit in the head whilst fielding in the slips and fractured his skull and eye socket. But a few years later came back to play. A real club hero!

5. Steve Lewis

Arguably one of the most destructive batsman in the county. A bowler’s nightmare, he can hit from the word go. ‘Clew’ has scored loads of runs for Lawrenny and has taken his fair share of wickets with his slow stuff. He loves a challenge and hitting sixes. Another brilliant fielder. 

6. James Buckle

‘Bucks’ is a very stylish batsman and hits the ball very hard. Another who can bat anywhere in the top five or six and again another all-rounder with his medium pace. One of the best fielders in the county. Has taken some superb catches that some players would have not got near. A very important member of the team.

7. Brad McDermott-Jenkins

‘Fluffers’ is another Lawrenny player who just loves hitting sixes. His ability to smash the ball can change the game in a matter of a few overs. Very effective player in the 20 over format. He can be an aggressive bowler and has taken loads of wickets over the last few seasons for his home club Lawrenny.

8. Ian Jenkins

‘Bish’ is another all-rounder. An attacking left-handed batsman who could also do a job if he was asked to stay there and dig in. For years the clubs No 1 spinner. But his best asset was his catching, it was simple, if you hit the ball to him in the air you were out. His presence in the team was brilliant, always lifting the boys and that’s an important part of any team.

9. Rob Williams (*not chosen himself but had to be included!)

Inevitably known as ‘Young Worm’ after his father and definitely built from the same mould because he always gives 100% in all he does. He has taken so many wickets for Lawrenny as a pacy opening bowler and no mug with the bat either. He would have been welcomed at every other club in the county but like dad wouldn’t dream of going. One of the most respected cricketers in Pembrokeshire and someone who has represented the county on a number of occasions.

10. Dai Jones

My vice-skipper. One of the best wicket keepers that I have played with. ‘Ozzy’ didn’t mind standing up and being battered black and blue, as long as he had a chance of getting someone out. Very down to earth and I’ve never heard him praise himself but he should have as he deserved every bit of praise that he got. Dai also opened the batting for Lawrenny with his nudging and gliding and scored a lot of runs. A club hero !!

11. Owen Williams 

Taught me all I know about bowling. When I first started playing in the firsts at the age of 14, ‘Larter’ was the main strike bowler. His accuracy was amazing. You felt every ball could hit the wicket. Our resident No 11 bat. I’ve never seen anyone give so much effort when they play. Even if he was injured, he would be flying around the boundary and running in to bowl. A club hero!

The players that just missed out:

Simon ‘Chief’ Cole

‘Chief’ opened the batting and bowling for Lawrenny in the first division for a few seasons. A stylish right hand batsman who scored lots of runs for the club.

Dai Arthur

‘Baldy’ was a left hand bat who hit the ball really hard and a medium fast bowler. He had a hell of an arm on him and ran many people out. 

Andrew Cole Jnr 

Unlucky to miss out on a place in my final XI. Young Coles was another player who could change a game with his ability to clear the mid-wicket boundary; I think his record was five sixes in one over.

Adrian Harries

Defo not picked on cricket ability but if there was one space left on the bus it would have to go to Adi, purely for entertainment reasons! 

I still say that the team from 2019 was the best over I played in and the squad deserves a mention and was as follows: Joe Kidney (Capt); Brad McDermott-Jenkins; James Phillips; James Buckle; Steve Lewis; Rob Williams; Jamie Lewis; Ryan Morton; Harry Thomas; James Skeels; Tom Cole; Kurtis Marsh.