Inside Alder Meadow - An interview with Pontblyddyn Part Timer Ed Jones
Pontblyddyn Legend : Ed Jones
Next up answering questions is Ed Jones. Aggressive 1st Team Opening Batsmen who would now see himself more of a Bowling All Rounder after recent seasons. Although since 2015 he has unfortunately been pulled away with work, he always makes himself available when he can and here are his best bits of playing down at the Pont.
First Memory
Playing in the back garden with my mate Jake Farrow (A few of you will
unfortunately be familiar with his work). He always managed to twist the rules
so he won. I still enjoyed it enough to go and play for a season at Buckley
before moving to Pont when I was 8 and absolutely loved it.
Best Game I’ve Played In
Probably that relegation decider against Brymbo as much as it pains me to say.
Still haven’t forgiven Ali Roberts for getting me run out after I got off to an
absolute flyer. Quickest man in the team turned down a single to a man on one
leg.
We had a few great games in 2011 when the 2nds won Division 2. A last ball run
out securing a one run win over Gwersyllt and a few tight games against
Marchweil who ran us close all season.
Tied game against Hawarden when they needed one to win and we needed two
wickets to tie and Chris Moss took two wickets in two balls. Some questionable
umpiring that day (SHOCK HORROR) so I don’t think either team could complain
too much.
Best Personal Performance
Ignoring the fact I was given not out when caught at first slip when I was on
30… I went on to hit 140 in a losing effort against Bangor. Managing to battle
through some balls seaming all over the place early on to stick it out (bar the
one that went to first slip) and get a big score was pleasing. Shame it was
when Blake Dean turned up.
Best Cricketing Moment
There haven’t been that many in all honesty, but winning Division 2 in 2011 is
comfortably the best. We had a really good young side that blew away most
teams. It’s a shame everyone seemed to move away for work or retired after that
season. It was a pleasure to watch Pont’s answer to Adil and Moeen (Mark Gent
and Tom Dawson) tie up opposition batsmen week after week.
Best Overseas Player
Marcel Frenzel without a doubt. He could do silly things with the ball. Solid
batsman and unbelievable in the field. Don’t think we had a net session in two
years where he didn’t clean me up.
Favourite Ground
Obviously I’m going to pick Alder Meadow but a special shout out to Bangor because
I’ve only played there a handful of times and managed to score a shedload load
of runs.
Favourite Team to Play Against
I can’t say I’ve ever walked out confidently against anyone! Maybe I’d have to
say Bangor even though a lot of the runs I scored there were when I was about
15 against the third team. They all count though.
Most Feared Opponent
Menai Bridge would be up there. It’s annoying going all that way to get
whacked. Think I’ve only won a game there once and saw one of the all-time
great death overs from Ben Mason. I think the ball only landed in the car park
four times.
Best Player Played Against
There’s a few I need to name here…
Firstly, Blake Dean. Daft that he had been playing in the Big Bash and ended up
swanning round North Wales scoring hundreds without breaking sweat. Scored an
unbelievable ton against us, effortlessly timing the ball and hitting it so
hard at the same time, not to mention his filthy leg spinners that caused
everyone a few problems. I was over the moon when the reverse fixture was
rained off because I couldn’t be bothered with that again if I’m honest.
There’d have been a lot of balls lost in the River Alyn.
Hawarden had a lad in Division One called Jason Biddulph who would’ve won the
game if he played on his own. Best fielder I’ve ever played against and was
great to watch him bat. Hardly as though my filthy seamers troubled him too
much though.
Matt Redinger at Llanrwst hit it miles. I had to retrieve plenty from the far
side of the football pitch one Saturday afternoon. Having got out third ball of
the game, I didn’t need that in my life. Long day, long drive home.
Finally, Ben Hilliard at Brymbo. He was too good for me. He knew, I knew it,
everyone knew it. Didn’t fancy him on a hard, seaming wicket on a freezing cold
day at Brymbo at all. When I finally played one back onto my stumps I feigned
disappointment, but in reality I couldn’t have scuttled off that pitch any
faster. He needs to work on his send offs though…
Best Player Played With
Marcel who I’ve previously mentioned, but Glenn Chambers and Phil Davies are
probably the best. I was fortunate enough to be the same age as Jamie Chambers
and Lewis Davies so they always had plenty of advice for the three of us. Used
to watch them bat on a Saturday afternoon and they seemed to score hundreds on
a regular basis. As I got older and got into the first team I’d often pass
Glenn on the bridge after another low score then put my feet up and watch him
make it look so easy.
Mark Neath was also a great player before his premature retirement. Could slog
sweep anyone into the river, tease a batsman into a silly shot, never drop a
catch and was easily the best captain I’ve ever played with (Sorry Hughesy).
Best Batsman Played With
See above.
Ben Mason has to get a shout here. Solid opening batsman who has been let down
by the lack of support in recent years. Great slip fielder, great at picking
fights, just needs to unhook the caravan.
Best Batsman Played Against
Seeing as I’ve mentioned all the overseas players I’ll probably go with Martin
Burger at Connah’s Quay. Will never forget Jamie Griffiths’ celebration after
he caught him at backward point on a freezing cold day at the Quay. He did a
lap of the pitch before getting back to the huddle and realised how much pain
he was in.
Tom Ducker nailed it as well. Unorthodox stance but could hit a ball miles and
scored plenty. Remember him getting a few fortunate decisions in the
aforementioned tied game. I don’t walk when they go to first slip either to be
fair, Tom.
Best Bowler Played With
The Flame and Glenn Chambers without a doubt. They keep telling me they used to
be quick back in their day which I struggle to believe. Both very intelligent
the way they go about setting a batsman up and if they can’t get you out, The
Flame will talk you out.
Flame’s foster children Romario Greaves and Jeff Lituri need a mention here as
well. Romario is a great spinner who I believe has gone onto bigger and better
things in Barbados and recently Australia. Accurate and turned them miles.
Jeff’s double bouncing leg spinners get a shout because of the old saying ‘S#£!
gets wickets’.
Best Bowler Played Against
There’s a lot of bowlers who have dismissed me on multiple occasions. Jack
Rimmington has got me a few times without me bothering to score a run again.
Rogue shout here but Tom Thornton at Llandudno who I have played against maybe
three times in second team and first team cricket and he has hit the top of my
off stump every single time I’ve faced him. David North at Bangor once seamed
them all over the place I couldn’t get near them. If he’d got one to hit the
stumps I’d have gone.
Best in the Changing Room
Rhys Jones – The Flame is winning this by a country mile. Never a dull moment,
you always need to watch your back. I’ve had to throw out a few pairs of boxer
shorts over the years and we will not mention the infamous water bottle
incident at Mochdre. I’m blaming getting out for another duck on that.
Longest In The Shower
We all know by now that it’s Chris ‘The Horse’ Myles.
Best Drinking Partner
There’s been a lot over the years, most people who’ve stepped inside the
clubhouse in fact. Anyone that force fed me warm, flat Foster’s when I was
younger really helped me turn into who I am today. Special shouts for Mossy,
Ben Mason, Jeff Lituri and Daz Wilcock who effortlessly deletes a pint of
Guinness. Trying to keep up with him in Dublin was a mistake.
Favourite Drink
Surprisingly it’s not the warm, flat Foster’s once served with a flake by the
lovely Sandra. Guinness or a pale ale will do me fine. Menai Bridge selling
cans of Red Stripe for £2 would always make up for another defeat.
Favourite Umpire
Paul Jones – sets the standard really. Never worried about missing the last bus
home and always sticks around for a pint and chat about the game. Often discussing
another loose shot by yours truly.
All Time Pont XI – No Pros
1. Phil Davies
2. Mark Hughes
3. Glenn Chambers
4. Ben Mason
5. Ali Roberts
6. Mark Neath (c)
7. Lewis Davies
8. Chris Moss
9. Andrew Roberts (wk)
10. Kevin Owen
11. Rhys Jones
12. Richie Davies
All Time North Wales XI – No Pros
1. Kevin Owen
2. Kevin Owen
3. Kevin Owen (c)
4. Kevin Owen
5. Kevin Owen
6. Kevin Owen
7. Kevin Owen (wk)
8. Kevin Owen
9. Kevin Owen
10. Kevin Owen
11. Kevin Owen
Advice To Youngsters Starting Out
Enjoy yourself, stick around after the game, pay your subs and DO NOT under any
circumstances use anything after Rhys Jones.