FORMER Neyland pace bowler Tommy Jones has passed away aged 79.

Tommy will be fondly remembered by many former cricket players and supporters from around the county, as a competitive and fierce opening pace bowler playing for Neyland in the 1960s and 1970s.

“He was certainly a competitive cricketer,” said Neyland stalwart John Laugharne. “Tommy was very popular with everyone who knew him in the town.”

One of his proudest cricketing achievements was receiving a coveted Pembroke County Cricket Cap in 1966 alongside Neyland team-mates Colin Davies and Neville Davies.

Tommy was a tremendous character, both on and off the pitch; he was originally from Carway, Trimsaran, Llanelli and played for Pontyberem, he first came onto the Pembroke County Cricket Club scene playing for Whitland before moving to his beloved Neyland in 1963.

He helped Neyland win the Division One title in 1967 alongside fast bowlers Russell James and Stuart Watts with Colin Davies as skipper. Tommy appeared in four Harrison-Allen Bowl finals, finishing runners up three years on the trot from 1966 to ‘68 and eventually broke his duck by finishing on the winning team in 1971 against Carew.

Tommy’s funeral service will take place at St Clement’s Church, Neyland on Friday, June 5 at 2pm, followed by interment at Neyland Cemetery.