The issues to look back on in Pembrokeshire rugby

WRU get decisive:

Ok, so where were we?

This time last month, a Six Nations ‘Super Saturday’ was looming, Pembrokeshire clubs were preparing for a final string of fixtures, the Valero charity match was being hailed a huge success and I was on route to Edinburgh for a four day stag do. In summary, all was well with the World.

But then the World was turned upon its head.

Here we are now with no rugby to contemplate for the foreseeable future. A notion of course, which pales into insignificance as the Coronavirus pandemic continues to escalate throughout the UK.

The 2019/20 campaign has been declared null and void, a development that obviously suits some clubs better than others. And for those who were on the brink of league titles, promotion, or cup finals, it’s hard not to sympathise.

But it was the correct call. No issues had been mathematically decided and it would have been futile to try and put a timescale on this unprecedented situation.

The WRU take their fair share of flak and it’s often justified. In this instance however, they acted decisively and whilst local football teams remain in limbo as the FAW dithers, the Union deserve credit for giving its clubs clarity.

Get the boys a flight:

As if more perspective were needed, some familiar local rugby faces have endured a dangerous few weeks – whilst thousands of miles away from our county.

Pembroke’s Billy Wood and fiancé Maisy Owen are finally home after being stuck in the Philippines, as are Milford players Ryan Mansell and Brandon Cooper who were working out in western Australia. Whitland’s Scott Newton is another now back after weeks of trying to leave Melbourne.

All have faced an uncertain time with some airlines cancelling flights to the UK and others quoting extortionate air fares. Thankfully, all have managed to return and as a bonus can be back in action with their clubs for September (lockdown permitting).

Pembroke Dock’s Luca Trimarco however, has been unable to leave New South Wales although has secured some short term essential work. All in Pembrokeshire rugby will be hoping he gets back safely soon too.

Steve and ‘Shoush’ show some skills:

Rugby is one of those sports you simply cannot replicate alone. Punishing runs and home workouts are all well and good - but will never prepare for you for being landed on by an 18 stone prop.

You can still work on your skills though. And credit to rugby hub officers Steve Martin and Chris Shousha, who via social media have been posting regular videos outlining how players can test themselves with an oval ball from the comfort of their living rooms.

Obviously my work schedule hasn’t afforded me the time to take the challenges myself, but for those looking to keep sharp during this extended off season, their worth a watch.

Martin’s posts also humorously outline the difficulties of mixing training with parental duties……

Cracking the Egg awards (strictly unofficial):

So when the season was abruptly halted, it was Fishguard’s Ben John who led the predictions table with an 83% win ratio. And to think I never got to put my complex play off finals system into practice.

So I’ll stay true to my word and buy him a pint. Strictly speaking, I can’t advocate drinking alcohol in this column so it may be squash and he’ll have to wait for the pubs re-open, but it’s one for his CV regardless.

And here’s a couple of other quickfire awards for Pembrokeshire rugby I’ve knocked up. And for the record, there’s no prizes and my word is final.

Team of the season: Tenby United.

That’s based on progress, not results. After last season would have been easy to carry on capitulating but they started again from scratch, went back to picking local lads, and put faith in youngsters. The club has turned a corner.

Player of the season: Andrew Cooke (Tenby).

The Seasiders are clearing up this far. Obviously, it’s impossible to assess this one fairly – and every side can probably lay claim to a suitable contender. Cooke stood out for me as he excelled both in the back row and the centre, and had a direct influence on the majority of Tenby’s wins.

Young (ish) player of the season: Robbie Jones (Fishguard).

Yet again, Fishguard proved a match for anyone in Two West but were left ruing a string of narrow defeats. They did however, continue to bring through younger players and at full back, Jones showed all the exuberance of youth. He had the confidence, and the pace, to attack from everywhere – the type who thrills spectators while giving coaches heart attacks.

Coach of the season: Gareth Bennett (Whitland).

Getting promoted is often the easy part, consolidating is where things get tricky. But for the second successive season, Whitland held their own back in One West and were heading for a top four finish when things were halted. Bennett has succeeded in re-installing a winning mentality there - and hasn’t been afraid to tinker his team along the way.

Most hard done by (in terms of the abandoned season): Narberth.

Yes, I know labelling Pembrokeshire’s most powerful club hard done by will raise eyebrows. But hear me out here.

The Otters found themselves in a considerably tougher Championship League this season. In years gone by it was a case of trying for second behind Pontypool, but the addition of four extra relegated Premiership sides ramped things up a notch.

But Sean Gale’s side were on course for what would have been a very commendable top five finish. Their youth side were also Scarlets champions and looked odds on to add cup silverware to their Pembrokeshire League title.

Both teams are now wondering what might have been.

Biggest sigh of relief: Pembroke.

When Pembroke skipper Scott Powell joked on Twitter the season was about to be abandoned with no relegation, I assume he didn’t realise he was pre-empting fact. Unless he was in the loop all along, in which case he can have my job.

In fairness the Scarlets were far from gone. They did lie bottom of One West after successive promotions, but with seven games to play the sides above them were still within striking distance.

Their injury problems were continuing to mount though and survival looked a tall order. They now have the chance to let players recover, learn lessons from some narrow defeats, and press the reset button in time for 2020/21.

Unsung hero: Gareth Scourfield.

Richard Scriven gets a ‘highly commended’ here for the way he kept the social side of rugby burning bright after games, but ‘Gags’ takes the spoils. He worked tirelessly to arrange a meaningful match between Pembrokeshire and Valero, drawing in a big crowd at Bierspool and raising money for a good cause in the process. He’s also helped make the prospect of a county side playing regular fixtures again a realistic one - and rightly so.

We’ll all be back:

Ok, so a lot of the above has been in jest, but in truth no one involved in local rugby, or society, wants to be in this situation. Lives are being lost and above all else I hope those taking the time to read these words are safe and healthy. The same applies to their family and friends.

As always, it’s been a pleasure to cover you all in this season gone by - and my thanks to club contacts for their help. I appreciate it’s not always easy to remember game details when your four pints deep in a packed clubhouse.

And as for the photographers, the likes of Ian Williams, Rod Hillier, Susan and Brian McKehon, they all make immense contributions to media coverage. As do the club snappers purely out there for enjoyment.

No doubt my colleagues Gordon Thomas and Bill Carne, both of whom have probably forgotten more about Pembrokeshire rugby than I’ve ever known, would reiterate that.

So while not knowing when rugby will resume is frustrating for all of us it matters little in the grand scheme of things. My hope now is those who have casually dipped in and out of the local game for so long will come to a realisation.

Your club, whoever that may be, is about to go through a difficult period of inevitable financial losses. When life finally returns to normal the job to reassemble teams will be a hazardous one.

So make sure you support those involved in running it, whether that be on or off the field.

Because as this enforced break should be telling you, by god you’ll miss it when it’s gone.