1926 Team photograph of Clwyb Criced Cydweli, Kidwelly Town Cricket Club, players featured are CLUB CRICED CYD-BEI (1926) Dr.Griffiths, A.Collins, E.J.Hughes, M.Parry, Dai Hughes, Lew Rees, H. Hughes, E.J.Gower (Mayor), E.Reynolds, J.Morgan, A.J.Jones, E.J.Hughes.E. Hughes, D.O.Jones, D.Conniff and Jim Williams.

Kidwelly Town Cricket Club during the 1920s

This photograph captures members of the Kidwelly cricket side during an active period for local sport in the mid-1920s. Newspaper reports from the time highlight a thriving sporting community, with regular fixtures played against neighbouring towns across Carmarthenshire and the Gower.

Earlier reports describe social and sporting gatherings involving teams from Llwynhendy and matches played at Gowerton, where players and spectators alike enjoyed competitive sport accompanied by the strong community traditions of the period—large crowds, visiting teams welcomed warmly, and refreshments provided by club supporters.

By 1926 the cricket team had developed into a competitive side. A report published in The Welshman recorded the close of the season with an exciting match away at Burry Port. In a closely fought game, the Kidwelly eleven succeeded in depriving the home side of their unbeaten record on their own ground.

Burry Port were dismissed for 80 runs, with several wickets taken by Kidwelly bowler Jim Williams. Kidwelly replied with 83 runs to secure victory. Contributions came from a number of players including E. Reynolds (14), Dyfrig Jones (18), A. Jones (14) and J. Williams (10), while H. L. Rees remained not out at the close of play.

Such results illustrate the competitive spirit of local cricket in the inter-war years. Matches were keenly contested yet remained important social occasions that brought together players and supporters from communities across the region.

Photographs like this preserve the memory of the players who represented Kidwelly during this period, reflecting both the sporting enthusiasm and community pride that surrounded village cricket in the 1920s.

Kidwelly Town Cricket Club origins and long-standing local presence

Kidwelly has had organised cricket in the community for over a hundred years. News reports show that Kidwelly Town Cricket Club fielded aside  as early as 1865 indicating the club was active in the 19th Century and was part of the town’s sporting life alongside other local clubs long before modern league structures existed, they gained league status in 1949 with the earliest mention in the press of playing on Parc Stephens. Kidwelly being 1946

The present day was associated with the sports and recreation facilities at Parc Stephens, the town’s main multi-sport ground, which has hosted cricket, rugby, football and other community sports for many years as a focal point of local sporting activity.

Part of the Teddy Hollands collection.