Inside Alder Meadow - An interview with Pontblyddyn Legend Jack Mason
Pontblyddyn Legend : Jack Mason
Introduction
Next up is Jack Mason. Jack joined Pontblyddyn at 13 and was a key member of a
very successful period for both senior sides at Pont. In his last season in
2013, Jack Captained the Pont 2nd XI to a very respectable mid-table finish in
Division 1, beating a number of 1st Teams along the way that summer. Although
he moved away in 2014 due to work and now plays his Cricket in Leeds, Jack
stays close to the Club and is always keen to share in the results and
individual performances. Here we look back at Jacks best memories from his time
down the Bont.
I joined Pontblyddyn as a 13 year old with my brother Ben. Playing junior
cricket, before becoming a regular 2nd 11 player as a 14/15 year old. In my
first season in the 2s we were relegated to Division 4, but in the next 6 years
we won Division 4, Division 3 and Division 2 titles in North Wales under the
captaincy of Nige Neath and Mark Hughes, and in my final year we finished 8th
in Division 1 as the highest ranked 2nd XI in North Wales whilst I was captain.
No mean feat with strong first teams like Llay, Pwllheli, Bangor, Bethesda and
Gresford in Division 1 at that time.
I continue to play in Leeds, having spent 2 seasons in London, but I have fond
memories of playing at the Pont with some of my best friends and still get
welcomed back like family any time I’m visiting. When you leave and play
elsewhere you gain an appreciation of what an amazing club it is, even though I
was never quite good enough to break the 1st team.
First Memory
I remember watching England play test cricket in the late 90’s on Channel 5
when test cricket was free to air. One test series against New Zealand stands
out and this was probably the first time I started to understand what cricket
was about and the laws of the game. I loved watching Andy Caddick and Darren
Gough bowling, it was like watching me and Ben.
After that it was cricket playing test matches in the garden. The good thing
about having a twin brother is that there’s always someone to play with.
Unfortunately mine is considerably better than me at all aspects of the game,
meaning I got used to long afternoon in the field at an early age…
I regret not joining Pont at this time. We must have been 8/9 years old and the
junior coaching offered to youngsters of that age now is brilliant. It was
another 4 or 5 years before we started to go to Friday night nets.
Best Game
The Division 2 title winning game in 2011 against Corwen. With Marchwiel being
rained off, we had the chance to win the league with a game to spare. Amazingly
I was able to score 83 in the first innings to set a good total and Richie
Davies got 7-for in the second innings to win the match. Ended up with us all
jumping in the river having secured promotion to Division 1 for the 1st time in
the clubs 2nd XI history.
Best personal performance
Probably the knock in the Corwen game for the importance. We’d lost early
wickets and me and Jonathan Mountford put on 100 in the middle order to steady
the ship.
Favourite Ground
Alder Meadow or Menai Bridge in North Wales.
Datchet in London, on the grounds of Windsor castle – amazing ground.
The Homestead at North Leeds, easily the best club facility I have ever seen.
Favourite team to play against
The 2s played Gwersyllt many times over that 6 year period. Some great tussles,
usually competing for league titles.
Most Feared Opponent
I don’t ever remember fearing anyone.
Best Player Played Against
Jason Biddulph – Saffer for Hawarden when they were in Div 1. Scored loads of
runs and took loads of wickets. Never looked like getting out. Loved the sesh
as well - key in a good overseas.
Best Player Played With Charlie Fernando – only played a handful of games with him. Bowled rapid and
whacked it miles.
Best Batsman Played Against
Ian Pearson – Premier Division quality player playing in Divisions 4, 3 and 2
he was always going to stand out. We played against Gwersyllt a lot in that
period and he always scored runs against us. I was an average at best pie
chucker, but I did OK against Pearson. I always said he was my bunny.
Best Batsman Played With
Mark Hughes – Quality bat! Knew his game inside out and never gave his wicket
away. Solid fielder even into his 40s, but above all the best captain the club
has ever had. He re-joined the club when I was 16 and immediately improved me
as a player.
Had the worst stash of gear at the club though. Spikes from 1960, his original
Pont cap and a proper old fashioned jock strap box, absolutely hanging.
Best Bowler Played With
Nige Neath – There were arguably better bowlers like Matt Edwards, Charlie,
Glen and Marcel who I played with in one-off 1st team games, but Nige was the
best 2nd 11 bowler I played with over a long period of time. Probably wasted in
the 2’s and should have been playing in the 1s at this time. Was massive in
turning around the fortunes of the 2nd 11 when he took over captain in Division
4. Could bat a bit as well.
Best Bowler Played Against
Ben Roberts – Brymbo. Only played a few games against him when he was young,
but you could tell he was good.
Best in the Changing room
Rhys, Snelly, Tippy and Tim Mc take some beating in the ones. Poor Mossy took
the brunt of it…
Tom Dawson for the 2’s
Longest in the Shower
Hoss
Best Drinking Partner
Ben Mason, Richie Davies and Tom Dawson
Favourite Drink
Rum. You’ll notice a pattern with the other interviews here…
Favourite Umpire
Didn’t get league umpires until Div 1 and I didn’t bat for long enough to work
out who was good or not.
All Time North Wales 11
We played against some very good teams and players in Division 1. There were
some long days in the field against this lot….
1. Tom Ducker - Hawarden
2. Alex Elwood – Gresford
3. Matt Jackson - Bodedern
4. Ian Pearson – Gwersyllt
5. Chris Elwood – Gresford
6. Nick Flack - Chirk
7. Matthew Cree – Gresford (wk)
8. Campbell Marr - Hawarden
9. Morgan Murray - Pwllheli
10. Dan Parry – Llay
11. Wilson – Hawarden
Advice to youngsters
Start as early as you can and hide your socks.
