St Michael’s ton up (From South Wales Argus)

St Michael’s ton up

4:26pm Thursday 21st February 2008

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THIS year is a very special one for Newport's St Michael's Baseball Club who aim to celebrate their centenary in style.

To commemorate the club's proud history, a series of events is being held over the coming months.

The showpiece is a dinner on Friday, May 30, at Newport Rugby Football Club with Brynmor Williams, ex-Newport RFC, Wales and Lions scrum-half as guest speaker.

Then on Sunday, June 15, a celebration match is being held at Coronation Park.

Athlete Darren Campbell, ex-Wales football international Nathan Blake and other Gwent sporting stars will take part.

Blake is one of a number local heroes to have played for St Michael's.

Among the other famous faces to have graced the diamond at their Coronation Park home includes former Chelsea, Arsenal and Wales footballer Peter Nicholas.

Former Newport County players Mike Mclaughlin, David Williams, Peter Sanders, Brendan Dowd and Chris Stanton have all donned the green and white of St Michael's and Cross Keys RFC half-back Ryan James is a current member.

The club was formed in conjunction with St Michael's Church in Pill to offer sporting opportunities to its young members.

Since its inception in 1908, the club has achieved some major honours.

In 1920 they achieved an unique treble by winning the League, Argus Cup and Florida Cup.

Other notable achievements include victory in the Silver Bowl and becoming League One Champions in 1971. In 1986 they lifted the Welsh Brewers Cup during the only ever all-Newport final when they defeated Alexandra Old Boys.

St Michael's has produced numerous Welsh internationals through the decades, tailing back to Mike Burke and Billy Landers in the 1920s and the driving force behind the club for many years, Peter Sanders.

In recent years representation came from Tony Murphy, Kenny Robins, Kevin Collins and Paul Canham and current Welsh captain Norman Parselle.

Young players, both male and female, are being urged to take up the game by Parselle, a sports development officer with Newport council.

He said: "As well as being a baseball club, St Michael's has been like a family for me with my father and brothers all playing."

As well as having two senior sides, the club runs three junior teams at under 12, 14 and 16 levels which are open to both girls and boys.

To book tickets for the dinner, costing £30 each and including a three-course meal, comedian and sports auction, or for more information, contact Peter Sanders on 01633 664514 or visit www.stmichaelsbaseball.com

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