Crymych Cricket Club and Glandy Cross - a combination synonymous with Pembrokeshire cricket.

Indeed, many local players will have enjoyed a game in the surroundings of the Preseli mountains with the club having played their since 1985.

However, circumstances have now forced Crymych away from the ground but crucially, they have secured a return to their roots and their original pitch at Ysgol y Preseli for the 2020 season.

The decision to leave Glandy was not an easy one but a vastly increased rent cost, coupled with the isolated location of the pitch has forced the club to make a decision based on the future.

Kurtz keen to go back to the future:

And first team captain Sam Kurtz explained that he hoped the move would reinvigorate the junior section and safeguard the senior teams for the coming years.

"Glandy Cross will forever be one of my favourite grounds but our hand has been forced a little.

"It was no longer financially viable for us to stay and that is a real shame. However, what we do have is a real opportunity to breath fresh life into Crymych CC.

"With the recent successes of Crymych RFC and the launch of Crymych football team, it feels right that the cricket side is returning to the village.

"We have had excellent support from the headteacher, staff and governors of Ysgol y Preseli, and we are thankful for their input and encouragement. We hope to continue to work closely with the school to bring through a new generation of cricket players."

Kurtz also praised those who had been instrumental in getting the club through a difficult period.

"Our chairman Rhodri Lewis has been an inspiration over the past few months with his hard work in getting this move off the ground.

"Our sponsors, Trefigin Quarry and Oil and Siop JK Lewis have been supportive and also thanks to Will Newell, groundsman from neighbouring Llechryd, who has helped and guided us where needed."

What lies ahead:

And the skipper was cautiously optimistic about the future: "We have some real talent in the side and and hopefully the move will see players (and fans) come out in force.

"We also return to the Teifi Valley league following a few years off. The midweek Twenty20 format really appeals to a lot of our players who can't commit to Saturdays.

"While there is still much work to be done at Ysgol y Preseli, I am really looking forward to welcoming teams to our new pitch."

Positive news for Pembrokeshire cricket:

When the news first emerged last season of Crymych facing unmanageable rent costs, alarms bells started ringing. The last thing Pembrokeshire cricket needed was to lose another long standing village club.

Thankfully, a resolution has been reached and one that will hopefully see the club benefit long term. It hasn't been an easy few seasons for the side due to a lack of playing numbers, but clubs like Crymych are integral to local cricket. 

They have their own history and very much their own identity. So long may they continue.