New Year-New Kit

Nick Evans receiving his Welsh Over 60's cap from Sir Viv Richards

According to some doomongers January and February is the most depressing time for people as their New Year resolutions have failed and they have no money in the bank after unnecessarily spending it due to the pressures of Christmas.

For cricketers it’s different. As each day passes the realisation grows that the nights are getting lighter, the indoor season has begun and soon many clubs will be hiring out sports halls in an attempt to get some much needed practice before the first game starts in late April / early May.

No, this time of year is an exciting one, an impatient one and most of all one in which you can think about buying some new kit so when the first game comes along, you feel good by looking good.

The problem in Pembrokeshire of course is that there are few shops that sell the stuff. Back in the day, Tom Sports in Haverfordwest had a good selection so too did Sportstime in Pembroke Dock but with those two shops now long gone where can you get some without buying blind of the internet?

You don’t buy blind of course as most sites have pictures to detail the products on show but how do you know you’re getting the real deal and how do you know if the kit will fit?

Buying a bat for example should be done by how it feels and not how it looks while if you need some shoes, how annoying is it for the boot to look the part only for it not to fit so you have to send it back?

The internet promises cheaper prices but factor in postage and the possibility of returns and the cost soon rise.

This is where Nicky Evans of Narberth comes in. A self-confessed cricket nut, he started selling cricket gear a few years ago as a hobby when he realised that there was a gap in the market.

It started off with a bat here and there and now it’s grown to include bowling machines with many clubs procuring the Paceman which is an affordable piece of kit for most of our cash strapped clubs.

No doubt those with big enough gardens will think about getting one for their own benefit as well as their clubs but if it’s just personal kit you’re after then you can do no worse than ask him along to your club for a demo of what stock he has.

The majority is Gray-Nicolls, one of the oldest and most trusted brands in the world and with low overheads he’s able to keep prices competitive.

Two years ago, they re-introduced the Scoop, the bat in which Brian Lara first broke the Test batting record while this year the Dynadrive has come back on the market, a bat with not one scoop but two and once graced by David Gower.

Need some trousers? Then why not visit his store area in Bethesda or satellite store at Narberth’s ground to see if they fit? Likewise with shirts, boots, socks and helmets; and if you’re concerned that the store won’t be open when you finish work, worry not, a quick phone call will suffice and he’ll fit a viewing to whenever is convenient for you. He’ll even do Sundays!

So if you have some spare cash after the Christmas splurge and want to look the part for when you bowl your first ball or first take your guard then a quick call to Nick on 01834 861788 or 07788 866033 could just help you get there.

What’s he got?

3 BRAND NEW FUNKY BATS, size 3 and 4 at £50 each

BATS:

Dynadrive.                             £200,00         

Oblivion  E41                         £390 – £109.00 Range depending on model

MaverickF1                           £390 – £120.00 Range depending on model

Powerbow GEN X                £390 – £135.00 range depending on model

Powerbow                             £60  - Junior range.

VORTEX        LE                   £300 .00

Nemesis                                £230.00

Australian Range

X 181                                      £230 - £135.00 depending on model

A61                                         £300 - £135.00

Kaboom                                 £390 -  £130.00 DEPENDING ON MODEL )DAVID Warner  signature)

Kashmir Willow Bats :                     These are for Juniors : Range £25 – 40.

Batting Pads :

Same models as the Bats and Range from :£95.00 - £36.00 depending on model)

Ambidextrous Pads for juniors : Range £39.00 – 15.00 (depending on model)

CLOTHING:

Shirts :

Velocity          s/s (men)       £22.00

Velocity l/s (men)                 £24.00

Storm :                                   £15.00 - £19.00 (junior and senior)

Matrix                                     £11.00 - £15.00 )junior and senior and trim)

Trousers:                             £13.00 - £19.00 (junior and senior, plus trim)

Batting gloves:

Legend                                 £72.00

Maverick F1                         £63.00 - £24 depending on model

Powerbow Gen x                 £54.00 - £15.00 depending on model (jnrs.cheaper)

Oblivion                                 £48.00 - £30.00 (depending on model (jnrs. Cheaper)

Australin Range                   £54-00 - £43.00 (depending on model)

 Kit Bags ;                             £95.00 - £30.00 depending on model)

Helmets ( Legend : Test Opener : Players : Predator : Atomic : Elite  Range £23.00 - £63.00 depending on model)

Footwear:  Test opener, flexi spike : Rubbers : Batting : Range £63.00 £26-00 depending on model)

Wicket keeping:

Gloves:                       £75.00 - £30.00 depending on model )

Pads:                          £48.00 - £25.00 depending on model.)

Various Balls:          Match : Training : Net : bowling Machine (soft and hard balls ) Range £27.00 - £3.00 soft and hand balls (depending on model.)

Plus all items required for cricket