Front Page Heroes

May is still not over yet the Harrison-Allen quarter finals have already been decided.

Reg Owen

There're been no real shocks although some might argue that Neyland's loss to Haverfordwest could be classed as one meaning the teams that have progressed were expected to do so.

Of all the teams in the quarters Herbrandston are the lowest ranked team in terms of the division they play in.

Cresselly, Carew, Lawrenny, Narberth, Haverfordwest, Whitland, Herbie and Saundersfoot are the remaining eight teams; six of which play in the first division, with Narberth a rung below and Herbie flying the flag for division three teams.

Whoever Herbie face, they'll have to produce a shock to move on to the semis but they won't be fazed by anyone, not if history is anything to go by.

A big crowd descended on Herbie that night to witness a near full strength Haverfordwest pay a visit.

Most had probably come to see Henderson Springer, the charismatic and hard hitting Barbadian opening batsman but they had other players of calibre too.

Herbie meanwhile were a club on the up, a mix of experience and youth among them a young spinner called David Watkins who according to club chairman Reg Owens 'had them tied up in knots.'

If spectators had come to see Springer smash the ball to all parts they would have been disappointed when Herbie batted first and were bundled out for 70 odd.

The pitch was not as good then as it is now. It had a reputation for variable bounce and with the Town's team containing a couple of quicks, the score was probably better than many would have predicted at the start.

Herbie though, had their own tearaway.

Even before Paul Hood and Kristen Bennett arrived from Marloes, the club had a reputation for producing a bowler or two who could ruffle the opposition's feathers.

In their ranks was Robert Kingston, and from the top of his run up coming down the hill, he cut an imposing figure. Other players of note included Hughie, Paul and Robert Develonald, David Watkins and Philip Eidman.

Reg takes up the story.

"It was a big game for us and we were up for it. No-one gave us a chance.

"I was speaking with their secretary Tacky Merchant before the game. He said, perhaps a little patronisingly, 'don't worry, it's a big night for your boys, just tell them to go out and enjoy it.'

"In the end we did, but he and many others didn't give us a chance.

"We had a bits an pieces side really and that was reflected in the score.

"When they went out to bat, they probably thought they'd knock the runs off easy but Kingston had other ideas. I can't remember if he took many wickets but he certainly roughed them up.

"Springer didn't last long, he was caught on the boundary by Alan Proctor, who had joined us from Tish. He was a good cricketer.

"When he went I think their batsmen got a bit jittery and wickets started tumbling.

"I was sat with Peter Rees from Llangwm, I remember him saying to a batsman going in, I think it was Colin Williams, 'I wouldn't bother going in,' he said, 'you'll be back soon.

"He was too, didn't last long at all. It was a wonderful night."

The game was played in an age before mobile phones let alone facebook and Twitter.

News travelled slower back then. It was an age when sportsmen and women would wait eagerly for the weekly papers to come out to see their names in the headlines.

Even so, it didn't take long for news to spread that Harfat had been knocked out. It was big news in Pembrokeshire’s sporting circles

Herbie were drawn against Llangwm in the semi-final at Burton and confidence was high another shock was on the cards. Trouble was, Kingston couldn't play and he was a big player for them, a quick bowler and big hitter.

He could have caused damage.

"He couldn't play as it was a friend's birthday," said Reg. "Had he played we could have beat them but we had our day of glory against Haverfordwest.

"The front page of the Milford Mercury had a picture of us with the headline: 'Herbrandston Heroes'.

"Eidman was studying art at the time and turned it into a watercolour. I've got it here at my house."

And what of today's vintage?

Unbeaten in division three what are their chances of producing another shock?

"Well they are certainly playing well. We've got two quick bowlers in Dean John and Jack Wilson a quality batsmen in Ryan Davies and Jay Power has joined us from Tish and he's making a difference so who knows?

"We've got a good spirit among us and if we're drawn at home we'll give anyone a game.

"We may not go through, we may be chasing leather all night but we won't go down for a lack of trying that's for sure."