WHEN the Pembrokeshire under 15 cricket team created a little history last season by becoming the first junior team from the county to become Welsh Regional Champions, no one was more delighted than the Pritchard family of Neyland because Tom bowled really well to help them to that success.

It was a great way for Tom to round off his season because as well as being a regular in that side, coached by Martin Jones and Sean Hannon, he also helped Neyland 2nds win Division Four in the Nicholas Insurance- sponsored Pembroke County Cricket League and was joint recipient of the Best Bowler award with another talented 15 year old in Scott Jones.

Tom started out his love of cricket as a nipper when he joined Charlie French, Thomas Preece and Taylor Mighall in going up to the Athletic Ground on a Saturday to watch Neyland play cricket. They were soon playing their own mini-game just outside the boundary and were then hauled in to play Kwik Kricket by Messrs Jones and Hannon.

"They were brilliant to me," said Tom, "and although I started out hoping to be a batsman I soon became very keen on bowling after watching Jimmy Anderson on telly, taking wickets for England!"

He was soon in the county team for his age group alongside other talented players like Scott Jones, Alex Codd and George Williams from Neyland, plus others from around the county like Greg Thompson (Stackpole), Geraint Jones (Whitland), Jacob Knox and Jack Parkinson (both Carew). This group still formed the backbone of the county under 15 team for the season just completed and some decent early performances were followed by a successful tour and a win over a strong Cardiff and the Vale in the semi-final.

 It earned Tom and Co a final place against a Gwent team that had no fewer than eight players with representative honours and the tag of being hot favourites as they took on Pembrokeshire at Ynysangharad Park in Pontypridd. After a rain-delayed start Pembrokeshire played really well as a team and when Tom came on as second change bowler he claimed healthy figures of 2 for 21, assisted by a good catch from Geraint Jones and an even better one-handed spectacular effort from Jacob Knox.

It helped set the tone for a good team performance and when Pembrokeshire won they were naturally thrilled. When they returned to the county they were invited to a reception at County Hall by council chairman Arwyn Williams, Elwyn Morse, the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Sport, and Ben Field, the manager of Sport Pembrokeshire, in recognition of their achievement.

As well as his cricket, Tom has also played rugby with Neyland Juniors in a team coached by Peter Jack Davies but sadly there is no longer a junior team for his age group, although he enjoyed going on a tour to Ireland, where he played on the wing against the well-known Young Munster.

As Tom about support he has received and he is quick to praise coaches Jones and Hannon, plus his family. Parents Michaela and Mark are regular chauffeurs, as is granddad, Brian Charles, who tries to watch Tom in every game and coughs up £1 for every wicket Tom takes. Brian used to play rugby for Llangwm many years ago and teases Tom that he has a bigger scrapbook but that is bound to change because Pritchard Junior is doing so well and Michaela is good at compiling scrap books! Toms sisters Bethan (14) and Eleanor (8) are also keen to see their big brother do well.

 Others who have helped Tom whilst he has been playing for Neyland 2nds are Rod Murphy, who is a great motivator, and Ian Milsom, who gives anyone who scores 50 or takes five wickets a fiver or a free fish supper at his chippie in Milford Haven!

 Tom played all but one of last seasons matches in the second team, missing out on a 100% record when he was walking the coastal path near Fishguard as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award and he readily admits that he couldnt wait to hear how Neyland teams had got on without his being involved.

 His best bowling performance for the second team was a 5 for 22 haul against Herbrandston and in the season just completed he took 3 for 2 in nine miserly overs against Fishguard, who scored 150. His 14 wickets certainly helped Neyland gain promotion to Division Three as section champs ahead of Kilgetty and he showed that his batting is improving by hitting his first-ever six against Cresselly as he made his top score of 22.

Tom also helped Neyland juniors to the final of the play-offs for their age group and although he was pleased with the fact that he only conceded six runs from his four overs he was disappointed that the team lost out to Kilgetty in a low-scoring tussle.

 Ask Tom about ambitions and he would say his aim is to gain a regular place in the Neyland first team, a hard task but one where time is certainly on his side.

Coach Martin Jones says of Tom: "He is a really committed member of our squad who never misses a training session and if everyone showed his willingness to listen and learn then it would be an even greater pleasure to be involved.

"Tom will be a great asset to Neyland for many years to come."

 It is a real tribute from someone who knows his cricketing onions and we are sure that young Tom Pritchard really has a future in cricket in both Neyland and Pembrokeshire!