The end is nigh
Midway through the rugby season and the end of the game is in sight. Rugby is starting again and our summer sport is going to suffer.
The gloves are on, Cricket v Rugby.
It could be the best boxing match of the summer.
So, is this the end of the game as we know it?
Possibly not. Keri Chahal, Cricket Wales' Area Manager for South West Wales has met with the WRU and Grand Slam winning skipper Ryan Jones who is promoting summer rugby to the masses.
Initially seeing the move as the death knell for our summer sport, after meeting with them, the thinking is different.
The WRU want to work with Cricket Wales and indeed other sports like tennis and athletics in a move to boost their own sport.
"We tend to focus on negatives,"said Keri. "We're quick to jump on the doom and gloom but we have to remember that our junior initiatives are working.
"We've never had as many U9's playing the game as we have now, we have thousands of kids signed up to our All-Stars programme and we have a similar number playing U11's cricket too.
"Our game is in good shape but we would be fools to think a this move wouldn't affect us so that's why we have initiated some meeting."
The specifics of those meeting have not been revealed but they occurred before the cricket season got into full swing and are still ongoing
From a marketing perspective alone, despite the success of All-Stars and other junior initiatives, Cricket Wales would never be able to compete with the WRU so it would be better to work with them than against them.
"We want to avoid clashes,"added Keri "So it's only right that we meet with them to ensure this doesn't happen.
"There are plenty of cricket festivals going on across Wales each weekend and we want that to continue."
Time will tell how it will all pan out. The WRU may be taking a soft approach to our game as they try to launch their summer rugby programme but will this continue in time?
The early stages of any relationship are often start off well but as any married couple will tell you it doesn't always last that way; one side will always want their own way and it can often end in tears, even more so when kids are involved.
All sports should remember that.
Team of the week:
The Welsh Rugby Union, believing the junior game is not in good shape in Wales and that skills among our 7-year-old are not fit for purpose has decided to launch Summer Rugby in a bid to grow playing numbers in that age group.
It's not gone down well with Welsh cricketers.
Former Glamorgan aces Steve James and Mark Wallace have both Tweeted disgust saying:
This is an utter shambles, nothing more, nothing less. Cannot believe @CricketWales are allowing this to happen.. https://t.co/apFP5ZxQhG— Steve James (@sjamesjourno) 16 June 2018
Welsh Rugby legends on the other hand think it's the best thing since they woke up with a hangover following their Six Nations Grand Slam wins:Ok...so are you supportive of this happening??? https://t.co/HOSsrfB6c0— Mark Wallace (@MarkWallace18) 16 June 2018
Love this idea...Great move by the WRU and all involved. Dai Iawn 👏👏 https://t.co/dxvGXioNBh— Martyn Williams (@martynewilliams) 15 June 2018
This has got to be good for the junior game, No brainer!! https://t.co/YSmR3FvMdf— James William Hook (@hookjameshook) 15 June 2018
The gloves are on, Cricket v Rugby.
It could be the best boxing match of the summer.
So, is this the end of the game as we know it?
Possibly not. Keri Chahal, Cricket Wales' Area Manager for South West Wales has met with the WRU and Grand Slam winning skipper Ryan Jones who is promoting summer rugby to the masses.
Initially seeing the move as the death knell for our summer sport, after meeting with them, the thinking is different.
The WRU want to work with Cricket Wales and indeed other sports like tennis and athletics in a move to boost their own sport.
"We tend to focus on negatives,"said Keri. "We're quick to jump on the doom and gloom but we have to remember that our junior initiatives are working.
"We've never had as many U9's playing the game as we have now, we have thousands of kids signed up to our All-Stars programme and we have a similar number playing U11's cricket too.
"Our game is in good shape but we would be fools to think a this move wouldn't affect us so that's why we have initiated some meeting."
The specifics of those meeting have not been revealed but they occurred before the cricket season got into full swing and are still ongoing
From a marketing perspective alone, despite the success of All-Stars and other junior initiatives, Cricket Wales would never be able to compete with the WRU so it would be better to work with them than against them.
"We want to avoid clashes,"added Keri "So it's only right that we meet with them to ensure this doesn't happen.
"There are plenty of cricket festivals going on across Wales each weekend and we want that to continue."
Time will tell how it will all pan out. The WRU may be taking a soft approach to our game as they try to launch their summer rugby programme but will this continue in time?
The early stages of any relationship are often start off well but as any married couple will tell you it doesn't always last that way; one side will always want their own way and it can often end in tears, even more so when kids are involved.
All sports should remember that.
Team of the week:
- Simon Holliday (Haverfordwest) 92 & 3-58 v Llangwm
- Richard Brock (Llangwm) 88 v Haverfordwest
- Andrew Evans (Kilgetty 2nds) 85 v Pembroke Dock
- Shane Williams (Laugharne) 81 not out v Hundleton
- Peter Bradshaw (St Ishmaels) 73 v Lawrenny
- Sean Whitfield (Carew) 69 & 4-37 v Saundersfoot
- Johnnie Scale (Burton) 6-25 v Johsnton
- Greg Sleep (Whitland 2nds) 6-29 v Stackpole
- Johnnie White (Haverfordwest) 5-39 v Llangwm
- Andrew Skeels (Lamphey) 5-46 v Lawrenny
- Paul Nicholas (Herbrandston) 4-8 v Llechryd 2nds
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