WHEN Hook Cricket Club gained promotion back to Division Two of the Nicholas Insurance-sponsored Pembroke County Cricket League at the end of this recent cricket season, no-one was more delighted than Matthew Holder because he has been involved there since he was a nipper and skippered the side to that promotion.

He also coaches the clubs under 13 team with old pal Brennan Martin after being awarded his Level One badge, played football for Hook when they had a team and plays snooker for Hook Sports Club as a cue man who has picked up some silverware, but more of that later!

 At one stage in the season it looked as if Hook were going to win the title easily as they were 60 points ahead but then missed out a game when other contenders played and set the cat amongst the Hook pigeons. Then they lost to second-placed Llechryd and the gap was suddenly closed to ten points with three matches to play. Llechryd played that little better on the run in to the silverware to edge home by 14 points but second spot took Hook back into division two, to Mr Holders evident relief.

 It all seems a long time since Matthew started playing for his only club when his late uncle, Gerald Thomas, got him to go along to the ground when Alistair Platten was coaching and he played alongside other youngsters like Wayne Griffiths, Gareth Green and William Goronwy. At 12 he made his second-team debut in the last game of the season under Martin Thomass leadership and all he can remember is that he fielded at third man or fine leg all afternoon, didn't bat and had to wear a shirt and tie on the bust to Cardigan!

By the time he was 15 Matthew was bowling in the second team and grabbed five wickets against Neyland. One of his victims was current team mate Matthew Rowlands and Matthew Holder reminds him of that fact on a regular basis. Then it was on to Sunday matches with a first team that players of the calibre of Gary Martin, Jamie Phelps, Keith James, Martin Rees, Brennan Lay and Andrew Thomas, all still great servants of the club today.

 In the intervening years he has acquired a top score of 62 and his best bowling came with a 6 for 10 haul against Llangwm in the under 15s and a 6 for 25 analysis against Neyland in Division One.

"I've had a few other five-wicket spells and a couple of half centuries but haven't batted or bowled so much this season because we have been doing well and I've let others have the chance to bowl before me."

 And Matthew has been involved ever since.

"We used to yo-yo between divisions one and two but whilst that was bad enough, he admitted, even worse came last season when we got relegated to the third division and there is a huge difference in the quality of the play so it was vital that we went back up to develop our younger players breaking through.

"We now have at least five players in at under 13 level who will serve Hook Cricket Club for many years to come.

" At the AGM, I was roped in to captain the team and I asked Brennan Lay if he would be my vice-captain because he is so reliable, and he has been a terrific help. The arrival of Dai Hopkins (from Morriston) and David Evans (ex-Carew) has been a real boost and the return from college of Tom Blaxland has also helped alongside the usual contributions from Brennan Martin, Andrew Thomas and Jamie Phelps have ensured we kept in the race at the top of the table."

He has been busy in his role as skipper and readily admits that his wife Kirsty has been very supportive, whilst two-year old son Charlie looks like following in the family tradition because he already has his own bat. Brother Chris also plays for Hook and says he can't understand why he wasn't asked to do this article because he is also a Welsh short bowls champion!

Matthew also enjoys other sports because he plays snooker for Hook Sports Association alongside Richard and Mark James, Tim and Steve John, plus captain John Davies. He has won the second division singles title on two occasions, the first back in 2004, when he beat Chris by 3-1 in the final played on their home club table. Then in 2011 he beat another team mate in John Davies, this time by 3-0 at Hook. He uses a cue that Kirsty got him as a present and up to now his top break is a very healthy 66!

When Dean Boswell started up a football team in Hook, he roped Matthew to play on the wing and again it was nice to be involved in a different sport for his village. The club made a bright start but sadly couldn't maintain its momentum and eventually stopped playing, much to Matthew's disappointment.

But it is cricket that remains Matthew's first sporting love and he is quick to praise others for their success this season.

"We have been lucky to acquire the services in the season just gone by of Dave Hopkins, who moved into the area from Morriston, and David Evans, the former Carew player," said Matthew, "with great support from Brennan Lay, Jamie Phelps, Keith James, Andrew Thomas and Brennan Martin, all great servants of the club for many years.

"Off the pitch we are lucky to have Joy James doing so much work and where would we be without Evan Martin, Michael Thornberry and Trevor Green, to name just a few."

He is also delighted that Hook now have juniors playing regularly for the county.

"We have five under 13 players who will be battling for second team places next season and that can only be good for the club," he says with some conviction.

His ambition is to see Hook stop yo-yoing between divisions.

"We were a good first division team at one stage and must aim to eventually get back there by developing a strong squad. Tom Blaxland and Jake Wicks are excellent examples of how players can grow with us."

 As to his own involvement, Matthew is happy to help out in any way he can.

"Hook has been my only club and I couldn't imagine playing anywhere else, even when we have had our lows.

"This season has provided us with another high and I would just like to thank everyone at the club for their terrific support for me as captain."