Narberth’s Nick reaches a magic milestone

The recent rugby match at the Lewis Lloyd Ground between Narberth and Bedwas was a bitter/sweet one for Nick Gale because The Otters’ full back was part of a team which lost 13-20 after holding a 10-0 interval lead.
But he managed to land their only points of the second half with a penalty that took him to an amazing tally of 1,002 points since he joined the club in the 2012/13 campaign: a real tribute to his ability to score tries and kick points from a range of distances and accuracy with his trusty left boot.
It is also a tribute to his commitment because during that time he has lived in the Cross Hands area and travels to twice-weekly training and home matches, a total distance of well over 300 miles. He also practises his goal-keeping at Cefneithin Rugby Club, which is situated right behind his back garden.
“In the cold, dark, wet winter nights, training trips can sometimes be a bit of a drag but the end result is worth it,” admits Nick, with a chuckle!

Family matters . . .

It was perhaps only natural that Nick should become a good rugby player because as well as his father Sean, who was a try-scoring front-rower with Llanelli and Bridgend in his heyday, his grandad Norman was a front-row captain with Llanelli and Wales, and uncle Byron also played for The Scarlets. I'm just glad I didn't follow in the family’s front row footsteps admitted Nick with a chuckle, "and I suspect that my mum Elizabeth and sister Hannah, who have also been hugely supportive, are glad that I play where I do!
“My partner Betsan is a good netball player with Ser y Cwm in the Gwendraeth Valley League and is another great supporter, and also glad I play in the positions I do!”

Early role as a spectator with the Otters – and played football too!

Nick's dad had joined the coaching staff at Narberth at the start of the 2006-07 season and on match days Nick, a schoolboy in those days, used to come down to the ground with him and prior to kick off he would be out kicking goals and even in those days it was evident that he had a talent for kicking a rugby ball great distances.
Nick also played football as a striker with Dafen Welfare as a nipper and enjoys squash for fitness but it is rugby that has always occupied much of his spare time, starting out in the family garden and setting out with Llanelli Wanderers as an eight year old.

A Wanderer from
eight years old

He was coached by Craig Rees because some of his school pals already played there - and he stayed there at youth level under the guidance of Lyn Price.
I played for Carmarthenshire alongside some very good players from under 12 level right through to youth and also played for the Scarlets under 20 team coached by Louie Tomkin - and the undoubted highlight of my time in youth came when I was selected for Welsh Crawshays’ Youth in a celebration match against Llandovery Youth.
I made my first team debut with Llanelli Wanderers whilst I was still in youth rugby and was really pleased to be chosen as man of the match in my debut against Betws and whilst there I broke the club record in one season, scoring over 350 points.

Barbarians’ call-up a huge highlight

Another huge highlight for me was playing on the wing for the Barbarians against the Combined Services on Armistice Day 2014 on the famous Recreation Ground at Bath, where we were coached by former Welsh internationals Nigel and Phil Davies.
'I received a phone call out of the blue and I thought the invitation was a leg-pull until I received official confirmation by e-mail – and we won 31-15 as we played in front of a crowd of over 6,000 people and we were allowed to keep our shirts as a great memento of a wonderful day!
“There were 6,000 watching the game and my shirt is now in the Llanelli Wanderers clubhouse because I thought it was nice to present to them as my old team who set me off in the game. But I did wear my Narberth socks, as tradition allows!

Joined Narberth after
an invitation from
coach Jonathan

Nick had also played for one season with UWIC and when he completed his PGCE at Bath Spa University it was at a time when Nick was invited by Jonathan Dodd to join Narberth and quickly adapted to the higher level.
Nick had made his league debut for Narberth on permit from Llanelli Wanderers in an end-of-season fixture away to Bonymaen when he came off the bench to play at centre alongside
Richard Davies. Narberth lost 19 - 15 and Nick did not play in Narberth's remaining two games of that season, but during the summer he signed for the club when head coach

Jonathan Dodd invited him to sign.. 

I felt at home from the start because I had travelled to the Lewis Lloyd Ground so much with my father and was made welcome by the players and The Otters terrific supporters.

Played against top sides – and enjoyed the KO Cup Final too

We were playing against top sides like Ebbw Vale, Bargoed, RGC (North Wales) and Pontypool, who were in bottom place then and at the end of the season I shared the top try scorer award with Steve Martin, who joined co-centre Roger Davies in teaching me so much about back play.
In one of those games, at home to Ebbw Vale in the final game of the 2014 season, we faced a team with 23 wins in as many matches – and beating them that day, in front of our vociferous supporters is a match that will long live in my memory.
“As well as playing those top teams, it was also great playing in a Pembrokeshire KO Cup Final because it was a fantastic atmosphere as we beat Haverfordwest 31-0 at Bierspool, Pembroke Dock.”
Nick knows that he has followed in the footsteps of some illustrious place kickers at The Lewis Lloyd Ground, like Geraint Bowen, Andrew Phillips, Simon Daniel and Steve Pearce and what makes his tally so far a remarkable one is the fact that in previous seasons he has also shared the kicking duties with current colleagues Ianto Griffiths and Jonathan Rogers – and showed his resilience as a player by slotting in at full back, wing or centre.

Records faithfully recorded by historian Ken

What has also shown his consistency is the table of points kindly provided by club historian
Ken Mathias, which shows that in five of those seasons he has passed the three-figure mark in this very competitive league.
“I’m told by Ken that I have now played in 149 games so have another milestone in appearances in my next game and I would like to place on record my thanks, and all the players’ appreciation for Ken’s fantastic contribution to the club as a brilliant statistician.”
At 29 years of age Nick is still relatively young in playing terms and with his enthusiasm for the game, and loyalty to the Otters’ cause, there is every chance of many more appearances and the chance to add to his totals of 60 tries, 138 conversion, 140 penalties and two dropped goals (thanks again, Ken!)
It is also good to report that Nick is very approachable as a player and extremely modest about his achievements – but he was clearly moved by the special presentations made to him in the club house after passing the 1,000-point mark agents Bedwas.
And that recognition was richly deserved because Nick Gale represents all that is good in the game – and we wish him many more years of being involved with rugby at Narberth RFC.