back row l-r Jonathan Twigg - Secretary, Helmut Reinhardt - International officer, Alan Buckfield, front row l-r Steve Evans - Chairman, Tudor Walters - Haverfordwest Cricket Club 2nd XI Manager, Mark Hicks - Captain, Joel Hardakaker - Assistant Manager. New chairman of the Pembrokeshire Referees’ Society Steve Evans first duty in his new role was to present the Margaret Davies Sportsmanship Cup to Tudor Walters, manager of Haverfordwest Cricket Clubs 2nd XI who won the cup for the first time.  Their achievement beat the honour to the Cricket Club’s 1st Xl last season when they came runners up to Clarbeston Road. What makes this achievement so remarkable is the average mark of 4.60 out of 5, where Walters ‘team of merry men recorded a remarkable maximum five marks on thirteen occasions.  Society secretary Jonathan Twigg commented that “he had not seen such a consistent set of marks over a season by any team, paying due credit to how Walters and the officials of the Cricket Club set a high standard of expectation for their players“

Walters responded “I feel for it is important to have a referee for the good of the game and paid tribute to all referees in Pembrokeshire for their commitment and dedication.  He also thanked his players for the way they have conducted themselves throughout the season, echoing the thoughts of 2nd Xl skipper Mark Hicks who saw this cup win “as more important in the long term of the club than promotion form division 5 of the Pembrokeshire League. This season was about gaining respect for each other, our opponents and referees.”

The sportsmanship cup was presented to the Society by former Chairman Hayden Davies in memory of his mother in 1960. Hayden was a life long football supporter who was also instrumental in the local Haverfordwest community of Prendergast, where he was county councillor, school governor, churchwarden and inaugural President of Prendergast Villa AFC. Referees award marks out of five for each team, based on the conduct of players on the field, club officials and supporters attitude during the game whilst also acknowledging the overall respect shown to them pre and post match.

In compiling the 2009 results Twigg announced that runners-up were Carew 1st XI and in third place Lawrenny 2nd Xl.  In total 63 of the 65 clubs achieved a five mark, with clubs like St Clears and Tenby 1st Xl (who came bottom in 2007/8) performing as well as the front three.

Divisional award

Division 1
1 Carew
2 Clarbeston Road
3 Hakin United

Division 2
1 Tenby
2 Haverfordwest Cricket Club
3 Saundersfoot Sports

Division 3
1 St Clears
2 Lawrenny
3 Narberth 2nd Xl

Division 4
1 Clarbeston Road 2nd Xl
2 Kilgetty 2nd Xl
3 Carew 2nd Xl

Division 5
1 Haverfordwest Cricket Club 2nd Xl
2 Lawrenny 2nd Xl
3 Hubberston 2nd Xl

Unfortunately there were some teams awarded zero marks in game, with Monkton Swifts 1st & 2nd Xl’s, Pembroke Boro 1st Xl and Pennar Robins 1st Xl achieving this dubious honour on more than one occasion.

The final word during the presentation was with Society Chairman Steve Evans.  He commented that the officials and captain of the Cricket Club had led by example this season, which was followed by the players and supporters of the club.  Winning the Margaret Davies Cup for 2008/9 was indeed an honour for the Cricket Club and he challenged them to see if they could better themselves by improving on their average mark next season and retain the cup.