Mark Hughes

Inside Alder Meadow - An interview with Pontblyddyn Legend Mark Hughes

Pontblyddyn Legend : Mark Hughes

Hughsey is Pontblyddyn's longest serving player having started his career in 1979 again Bangor as a 14 year old scoring 9 not out in a narrow victory. Playing in the side that day were a number of Pontblyddyn legends including Geoff Palmer, Wilson Jones, Peter Smith and the larger than life Nigel Jones (Rhys Dad). He moved to Marchwiel in 1982 and was lucky to be involved in The Village Knockout Final at Lords in 1984. He returned to Pont in 1985 peaking in the early 90s and retiring in 2000. He returned in 2008 initially to help out with the juniors and the 2nd XI. Mark is still playing to this day (when required and body allowing). 

  First Memory
Playing at home in the garden and then at school (no junior cricket or coaching in those days). My first recollection of life at Pontblyddyn was turning up to score in a midweek knockout against Gwersyllt. 
Collis King and Desmond Haynes (both of who were in the West Indies World Cup Squad and had a day off) played in the game. Gwersyllt were bowled out for not many and both West Indians opened the batting with Pont unsurprisingly winning by 10 wickets. They went on to win the World Cup a matter of weeks later. 

Best Game I have played in
Three games stand out for me. 
  • Beating Colwyn Bay in the Welsh Cup in the early nineties was a highlight as they were a top team at the time.
  • The Semi Final win in the Village Knockout in 1984 v Forge Valley was awesome, drank some ale that night.
  • Beating Llandudno in 2010 with half a team was a fantastic day. Great win against a class side. Duncan Midgley captained Llandudno which made it all the sweeter!
Best Personal Performance
Highest score 138 not out v Hawarden Park. Although my best innings was against the then champions Gresford in 1990. They scored 215 with David Williams caught on the boundary for 99. We knocked them off for 2 wickets, I finished on 93 not out after being hit by David Williams four times in an over. The bruises lasted weeks. 

Proudest Cricketing Moment
Taking on the captaincy at PCC in the last game of the season at British Steel in 1989 needing to win to go back up into the Premier Division. We won and I continued to captain the side for the next 5 years, winning the league and Denbighshire Knockout in 1992 and again the same Cup in 1993. We beat a strong Brymbo side by one run over two legs in the Semi Final. 

Best Overseas
Steve Windke

Favourite Ground
Got to be Pontblyddyn. Although Marchwiel in the eighties was a special ground. 

Favourite Team To Play Against
Loved the games against Connahs Quay in the early nineties. They were always competitive to say the least. 

Most Feared Opponent
Nigel Roberts 

Best Player Played Against
Nigel Roberts 

Best Play Played With
Glenn Chambers 

Best Batsmen Played With
Phil Davies 

Best Batsmen Played Against
Will Evans 

Best Bowler Played With
Rhys Jones and Phil Snell (won us the league in 1992)

Best Bowler Played Against
David Williams – Gresford and Brymbo 

Best In The Changing Room
Flame – mad as f**k

Longest in the Shower
Steve Dublin – unbelievable 

Best Drinking Partner
Rhys Jones and Phil Snell (usually ended in tears)

Favourite Drink
Gin and Tonic 

Favourite Umpire
Wilson Jones – Pont

Eric – Chirk 

All Time Pont XI – No Pros
1.   Phil Davies
2.   Glenn Chambers
3.   Chris Lamb
4.   Paul Higginson
5.   Mark Hughes
6.   Mark Neath
7.   Julian Morris
8.   Mark Chambers
9.   Phil Snall
10.   Nige Snell
11.   Rhys Jones
12.   Ben Mason
13.   Chris Moss 

All Time North Wales XI – No Pros
1.   Mark Jones
2.   Will Evans
3.   Duncan Midgley
4.   Nigel Roberts
5.   David Williams
6.   Glenn Chambers
7.   Brian Williams (wk)
8.   Matt Needham
9.   Adam Campion
10.   Jack Rimmington
11.   Shaun Roberts

Advice for Youngsters Starting Out
Believe in yourself and enjoy.